Medina
Medina is regarded as one of the most significant religious landmarks for Muslims, owing to its profound religious and historical significance. The city is intrinsically linked to the establishment of the first Islamic state and is considered the first capital of Islam. After the Hijra (migration) from Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made Medina the center for the Muslim community, establishing it as a bastion of faith and distinction. The city is home to the Prophet’s Mosque, where the Prophet’s blessed grave is located. From Medina, the fundamental principles of Islam spread to all people as the Islamic state became stable. Notably, it was in Medina where the banner of Islam unified for the first time the Arabian Peninsula, drawing in several great nations of that era, including Egypt, Iraq, the Levant, and Persia. This unity transformed various Arab tribes into one cohesive nation, capable of fulfilling God’s promise through their actions, leading to a flourishing Arab history that continued from one generation to the next.
Location of Medina
Medina is situated within the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in the Hijaz region. The term ‘Hijaz’ denotes the barrier between the Tihamah plain and the elevated Najd plateau. Geographically, Medina lies approximately 335 kilometers north of Mecca and is about 160 kilometers east of the Red Sea. At this juncture, the Wadi al-Qura concludes, and Wadi al-Aqiq commences. The city is encircled by mountains, except for the southeastern side, and is characterized by its lush gardens. Its strategic location represents a vital link between the Najd desert and the Red Sea, as well as a connection between Yemen and the Levant, which has led some to describe it as the “City of Caravans.”
Historical Sites in Medina
Medina is renowned for numerous timeless Islamic relics that emerged following the establishment of the Islamic state after the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) arrival from Mecca. Below are some of the most significant Islamic landmarks and their religious importance to Muslims:
- Prophet’s Mosque: The Prophet’s Mosque is among the most important Islamic monuments in Medina and is the third mosque mentioned in a hadith by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the prohibition of traveling to mosques except for three: the Sacred Mosque, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and this mosque.
- Baqi Cemetery: Baqi is the burial place chosen by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for the people of Medina. It is the final resting place of the Prophet’s wives, family members, and thousands of his esteemed companions, as well as many successors and scholars of great repute. The privileges of being buried in Baqi include the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad for its inhabitants and the proximity to the companions and the best of Creation.
- The Seven Mosques: The Seven Mosques are historic sites that the Prophet (peace be upon him) designated during the Battle of the Trench, where he set up his tent. These mosques are located near Mount Sala, where the Prophet prayed and supplicated against the enemy coalition from Quraysh and their allies. Following the battle, the spots of the Prophet’s and his companions’ tents were marked, and mosques were built in their honor.
- Friday Mosque: This mosque has a story similar to that of the Seven Mosques. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Medina from Mecca, he stopped in Quba for four days. On his way to the city, he prayed the Friday prayers in a valley called Wadi al-Ranuna. This location was later marked and a stone mosque was built, known as the Friday Mosque, which has undergone multiple reconstructions over the years.
- Masjid Dhul-Hulaifah: Also known as the Miqat Mosque or the Mosque of the Tree, it is named for a tree under which the Prophet (peace be upon him) would rest during his travels. This mosque is the appropriate miqat for those coming from Medina.
- Mount of the Archers: This small hill is located near Mount Uhud and specifically lies to its southwestern side, being the site of the Battle of Uhud.
- Masjid al-Qiblatain: Located on a hill known as the western Harrah, Masjid al-Qiblatain holds a significant place in Islamic history as the site where the direction of prayer was changed from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Kaaba on the 15th of Sha’ban in the second year of the Hijra.
- Quba Mosque: Recognized as the first mosque in Islam, Quba Mosque was built collaboratively by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. It was established on the principles of piety, as affirmed by the Quranic verse highlighting its sanctity. The mosque is located in the southwestern part of Medina and is known for a notable stone that marks where the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) camel knelt upon his arrival in the city.
- Ohud Martyrs Cemetery: Named for the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, this cemetery is the final resting place of seventy martyrs, including Hamza, the Prophet’s uncle, and Musab ibn Umair. It lies approximately 5 kilometers north of the Prophet’s Mosque, adjacent to Mount Uhud, making it a recommended visit for those arriving in Medina to pay respects to the martyrs.
- Al-Anbariah Mosque: Built during the Ottoman era, this mosque is located to the west of the Prophet’s Mosque and is near the Hejaz Railway station, surrounded by a circular garden.
Other Religious and Historical Landmarks in Medina
In addition to the aforementioned landmarks, Medina is rich in various religious and historical sites that reflect the deep Islamic history inherent to this sacred city. Notable among these is the house of the noble companion Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stayed upon his arrival from Mecca. A school was established on the remains of this house, which later transformed into a mosque and was incorporated into the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. Other important historical sites include the homes of Hasan ibn Zayd, a grandson of the Prophet, and Ja’far al-Sadiq, which were demolished during the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque. Furthermore, the Sham Station, built during the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II’s reign, serves as a link between Medina, Mecca, and the Levant, connecting them to Istanbul, the then-capital of the Ottoman Empire.