AL-MADĪNAH (المدينة)
AL-MADĪNAH (المدينة), lit. “The City,” is a city deeply revered in Islam as the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. Historically known as Yas̤rib (س̤rib), it earned the distinguished titles “al-Madīnah” meaning “the city,” and “Madīnatu ʾn-Nabī” translating to “the City of the Prophet” after it provided sanctuary to Muhammad. Second only to Makkah in sanctity, it is a destination of immense spiritual importance.
Etymology and Background The name “al-Madīnah” derives from the Arabic root “madana,” meaning to build or settle. Al-Madīnah translates simply to “the city.” Before Muhammad’s migration, it was referred to as Yas̤rib. The term “Madīnatu ʾn-Nabī” adds the possessive, signifying the city of the Prophet.
Historical and Religious Significance Al-Madīnah’s prominence is deeply rooted in its historical role harboring Muhammad and the early Muslim community during the Hijrah (Migration) from Makkah in 622 CE. The Prophet reportedly said regarding the city, “There are angels guarding the roads to al-Madīnah, on account of which neither plague nor the Dajjāl (Antichrist) can enter it.”
Famed author Burckhardt metaphorically described it as a city that “eats up (conquers) all other cities, just as a forge purifies iron.” This highlights its envisioned overpowering holiness and purity.
Geigraphy and Structure Nestled on an elevated plain in Arabia, al-Madīnah lies at the base of mountains separating the table-land from the Red Sea. Encircled by a stark wall, approximately 35 to 40 feet high, the city is guarded by 30 towers and a protective ditch. Within this fortified city are well-built, two-storied homes, narrow streets, and beautiful stone-paved pathways.
Central to al-Madīnah is the great mosque containing the burial chamber of Muhammad. The classic scholarly work “Burckhardt’s Travels in Arabia” vividly depicts the town’s infrastructure, mentioning lush gardens, date-plantations, and an elaborate subterranean canal system originating from Qubāʾ.
Cultural Significance The Prophet Muhammad himself spoke highly of al-Madīnah, describing it as “t̤ābah and t̤aiyibah,” meaning both good and fragrant. Culturally, it evolved from a simple settlement into a religious epicenter post-Hijrah, deeply enriching the lives of its inhabitants and the broader Muslim Ummah.
Related Terms
- MASJIDU ‘N-NABI: The Prophet’s Mosque, one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world.
- HIJRAH: The Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to al-Madīnah.
- HUJRAH: The burial chamber of Muhammad.
- Dajjāl: An evil figure in Islamic eschatology, often likened to an Antichrist.
Interesting Facts
- Al-Madīnah was once prone to frequent flooding during the rainy season.
- The Prophet Muhammad described al-Madīnah as a place that “puts away evil from man, like as the forge purifies iron.”
Notable Quotations
- “There are angels guarding the roads to al-Madīnah, on account of which neither plague, nor the Dajjāl (Antichrist) can enter it.”
- “I was ordered to flee to a city which shall eat up all other cities, and its name is now al-Madīnah.”
Further Reading and References
- Burckhardt, John Lewis. “Travels in Arabia.”
- Aslan, Reza. “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam.”
- F.E. Peters, “The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places.”
Quizzes
May the understanding of al-Madīnah enlighten your heart and lead to deeper appreciation of Islamic heritage.
Kind Regards,
Faisal Al-Harbi ✍️
In exploring sacred spaces, we revisit the echoes of faith, embodying history, devotion, and cultural unity.
