The Spiritual Journey: When the Imam weeps

2 nights ago, the chief imam at Masjidil Haram, Abudl Rahman Al Sudais, wept when he recited a few verses of At Taubah during isya' prayer. not knowing a word of Arabic (correction, i took Arabic when i was in Seri Puteri but failed miserably), i was determined to know the verse which made him cry until he was unable to continue reciting for almost a minute.

back at the hotel, i asked our ustaz in resident, Ustaz Nik, and he told me that it's the last verse in At Taubah. in order to understand the last verse, i've to mention the verse before.

128. Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves. it grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. he is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers full of pity, kind, and merciful.

129.But if they turn away, say (O Muhammad): "Allah is sufficient for me. Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."

in my humble and little knowledge about Al Quran, i think this verse talks about leaving your fate and depending on Allah, after being rejected by the very people you're trying to help. this is especially true when you're in distress or troubled and you feel so alone and there's no one to turn to - Allah is always with you. and this is especially true for me when i went back to the maktab in Mina alone at 4a.m. after stoning. i felt so alone in the sea of other pilgrims but because of tawakkal to Allah, i persevered and arrived safely at the maktab.