The City of Medina
The city is referred to as Medina because it illuminated with the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It has several names, many of which are mentioned in the Holy Quran and in authentic Hadiths.
Medina is located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, within the Arabian Peninsula. Its geographical position at the heart of the world makes it distinct. In this article, we will detail some of its well-known and recognized names.
Names of Medina
There are several names cited in the Quran and Sunnah, including:
- Yathrib: The name used before the advent of Islam.
- Medina: This name was adopted following the Prophet’s migration.
- The Abode and The Faith: Mentioned in the Quran.
- Tayyiba: Referenced multiple times in the Sunnah.
- Tabah.
- The Land of Migration.
Other Distinct Names
Medina is also distinguished by several other names recorded in historical texts, including:
- Atharb: Mentioned in the rituals of Ibn Farhun.
- Athrib: Referring to soil as being like the stones of Al-Harra, though white, as stated in Lisan al-Arab.
- The Land of Migration: Signifying the location to which the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his companions migrated from Mecca.
- The Land of God: A name that also appears in the Quran.
- Ak’alah of Towns: Also known as Ak’alah of Villages.
- The Faith.
- The Beneficent: Named for its kindness to its residents and the wider world.
- Al-Barrah.
- Al-Bahra.
- Al-Buhaira.
- Al-Bahira.
- Al-Balat: This name highlights the city’s numerous flat areas covered with stones.
- The City of the Messenger of God.
- The House of the Prophet.
- Al-Tabhirah.
- Tindid.
- Tandir.
- Al-Jabirah.
- Al-Jabbār.
- Al-Jabbārah: Mentioned by al-Samhudi.
- The Arabian Peninsula.
- The Secure Refuge: Indicating a place of protection and defense.
- Al-Habbāb.
- The Beloved: Due to the affection the Prophet had for it.
- The Sanctuary.
- The Sanctuary of the Messenger of God.
- The Abode.
- The Home of the Righteous: Known for the gathering of the Muhajirin (emigrants) and Ansar (helpers).
- The Dwelling of the Good.
- The House of Faith.
- The Land of Safety.
- The Home of the Sunnah: Recognized for the dissemination of the Prophet’s teachings.
- The Abode of Peace.
- The Home of Conquest.
- The Place of Migration.
- The Fortified Shield.
- Those of the Stones.
- Those of the Rows.
- Those of the Palms.
- The Sanctuary.
- Good.
- Choice.
- The Slaughter: An appellation mentioned in the Torah.
- The Face: For its expanse and distance from surrounding mountains.
- The Lady of Towns.
- Al-Shafi’ah.
- Tayyib.
- Tabah.
- Tababa.
- Tayyabah.
- Al-Tayyibah.
- The Capital.
- The Virgin.
- Al-‘Ara.
- Al-‘Arud.
- Al-Gharra.
- Al-Ghalabah.
- The Exposer.
- The Conqueror.
- The Dome of Islam.
- The Village.
- The Generous.
- The Village of the Ansar.
- The Heart of Faith.
- The Believer.
- The Blessed.
- The Abode of Permissible and Prohibited.
- The Clear Distinction of Halal and Haram.
- The Constrained.
- The Beloved.
- The Protected.
- The Favored.
- The Chosen.
- The Place of Truth.
- The City of the Messenger.
- The Merciful.
- The Provisioned.
- The Destitute.
- The Submissive.
- The Grateful.
- The Resting Place of the Messenger of God.
- The Fragrant.
- The Sacred.
- The Headquarters.
- The Abode.
- The Fortified.
- The Secure.
- The Rightful.
- The Saviors.
- The Nurturers.
- The Refined.
- The Righteous.
- The Loving.
- The Beloved.