Medina

Medina

big city, holy city of Islam

Year dem found am	9. century BCE
Official name	المدينة المنورة, Ясриб, Yathrib, يثرب
Native label	المدينة المنورة
Vocalized name	ٱلْمَدِينَةُ ٱلْمُنَوَّرَةُ
Country	Saudi Arabia
Capital of	Rashidun Caliphate, first Islamic state, Medina Province, Q97307705
Edey de administrative territorial entity insyd	Medina Province
Located in time zone	UTC+03:00
Coordinate location	24°28′12″N 39°36′36″E
Twinned administrative body	Mecca
Significant event	Siege of Medina
Dema official website	https://www.amana-md.gov.sa/
Category for maps or plans	Category:Maps of Medina

Madinah, officially Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (Arabic: المدينة المنورة, romanized: al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, lit. 'The Luminous City', Hejazi Arabic pronunciation: [al.maˈdiːna al.mʊˈnawːara]) wey dem sanso commonly simplify am as Madīnah anaa Madinah () wey dem know am insyd pre-Islamic times as Yathrib (يَثْرِب), be de capital of Medina Province insyd de Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. Ebe one of de oldest den most important places insyd Islamic history. One of de most sacred cities insyd Islam, de population as of 2022 be 1,411,599, wey dey make am de fourth-most populous city insyd de country. Around 58.5% of de population be Saudi citizens den 41.5% be foreigners. E dey locate for de core of de Medina Province insyd de western reaches of de country, de city be distributed over 589 km² (227 sq mi), of wich 293 km² (113 sq mi), dey constitute de city ein urban area, while de rest be occupied by de Hejaz Mountains, empty valleys, agricultural spaces den older dormant volcanoes.

Madinah be generally considered e be de "cradle of Islamic culture den civilization". De city be considered e be de second-holiest of three key cities insyd Islamic tradition, plus Makkah den Jerusalem dey serve as de holiest den third-holiest cities respectively. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (lit. 'De Prophet's Mosque') be of exceptional importance insyd Islam wey dey serve as burial site of de prophet Muhammad, by whom na de mosque be built insyd 622 CE (first year of de Hijrah). Observant Muslims usually dey visit ein tomb, anaa rawdhah, at least once insyd dema lifetime during a pilgrimage wey be known as Ziyarat, although dis no be obligatory. Na de original name of de city before de advent of Islam be Yathrib (Arabic: يَثْرِب), wey e be referred to by dis name insyd Chapter 33 (Al-Aḥzāb, lit. 'The Confederates') of de Quran. Na dem rename am to Madīnat an-Nabī (lit. 'City of de Prophet' anaa 'De Prophet's City') after den later to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (lit. 'De Enlightened City') before na dem simplify am den shorten am to ein modern name, Madinah (lit. 'De City'), from wich dem derive de English-language spelling of "Medina". Saudi road signage dey use Madinah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah interchangeably.

Na de city exist for over 1,500 years before Muhammad ein migration from Mecca, dem know as de Hijrah. Na Medina be de capital of a rapidly increasing Muslim caliphate under Muhammad ein leadership, wey dey serve as ein base of operations den as de cradle of Islam, wer Muhammad ein ummah (lit. 'nation')—composed of Medinan citizens (Ansar) as well as those wey immigrate plus Muhammad (Muhajirun), wey na be collectively known as de Sahabah—gain huge influence. Medina be home to three prominent mosques, namely al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque, den Masjid al-Qiblatayn, wey de Quba Mosque be de oldest insyd Islam. Na a larger portion of be Qur'an be revealed insyd Medina for contrast to de earlier Meccan surahs.

Like chaw of de Hejaz, na Medina see chaw exchanges of power within ein comparatively short existence. Na de region be controlled by Jewish-Arabian tribes (up til de fifth century CE), de ʽAws den Khazraj (up til Muhammad ein arrival), Muhammad den de Rashidun (622–660), de Umayyads (660–749), de Abbasids (749–1254), de Mamluks of Egypt (1254–1517), de Ottomans (1517–1805), de First Saudi State (1805–1811), Muhammad Ali of Egypt (1811–1840), de Ottomans for a second time (1840–1918), de Sharifate of Mecca under de Hashemites (1918–1925) den finally e dey insyd de hands of de present-day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1925–present).

For addition to visiting for Ziyarah, tourists cam make dem visit de oda prominent mosques den landmarks insyd de city wey dey hold religious significance such as Mount Uhud, Al-Baqi' cemetery den de Seven Mosques among odas. Na de Saudi government sanso carry out de destruction of chaw historical structures den archaeological sites, both insyd Medina den Mecca.

Between 1904 den 1908, na de Ottoman Empire construct de Hejaz Railway, wey dey connect Damascus to Medina. Na dis project aim make e facilitate de pilgrimage journey den strengthen Ottoman control over de region.

Names

Yathrib

Before de advent of Islam, na de city be known as Yathrib (Arabic: يَثْرِب, romanized: Yaṯrib; pronounced [ˈjaθrɪb]). De word Yathrib dey appear insyd an inscription dem find insyd Harran, wey dey belong to de Babylonian king Nabonidus (6th century BCE) wey ebe well attested insyd chaw texts insyd de subsequent centuries. Na dem sanso record de name insyd Āyah (verse) 13 of Surah (chapter) 33 of de Qur'an.den e be thus known e be de name of de city up to de Battle of de Trench. According to Islamic tradition, na Muhammad later forbid make dem call de city by dis name.

Taybah den Tabah

8th century rock inscription dem discover insyd Madinah, wey dey refer to de city as 'Taybah'

Sam time after de battle, na Muhammad rename de city Taybah (de Kind anaa de Good) (Arabic pronunciation: [ˈtˤajba]; طَيْبَة) den Tabah (Arabic: طَابَة) wich be of similar meaning. Na dem sanso use dis name to refer to de city insyd de popular folk song, "Ya Taybah!" (O Taybah!). De two names be combined insyd anoda name de city be known by, Taybat at-Tabah (de Kindest of de Kind).

Madinah

Na dem sanso simply call de city Al-Madinah (i.e. 'De City') insyd sam ahadith. De names al-Madīnah an-Nabawiyyah (ٱلْمَدِيْنَة ٱلنَّبَوِيَّة) den Madīnat un-Nabī (both dey mean "City of de Prophet" anaa "De Prophet's City") den al-Madīnat ul-Munawwarah ("De Enlightened City") be all derivatives of dis word. Dis sanso be de most commonly accepted modern name of de city, dem use insyd official documents den road signage, along plus Madinah.

History

Medina be home to chaw distinguished sites den landmarks, chaw of wich be mosques wey dem dey hold historic significance. Dese include de three aforementioned mosques, Masjid al-Fath (dem sanso know as Masjid al-Khandaq), de Seven Mosques, de Baqi' Cemetery wer de graves of chaw famous Islamic figures be presumed dem dey locate; directly to de southeast of de Prophet ein Mosque, de Uhud mountain, site of de eponymous Battle of Uhud den de King Fahd Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex wer dem dey print chaw modern Qur'anic Mus'hafs.

Early history den Jewish control

Na Medina be inhabited at least 1500 years before de Hijra, anaa approximately de 9th century BCE. By de fourth century, Arab tribes begin dey encroach from Yemen, wey na der be three prominent Jewish tribes wey inhabit de city around de time of Muhammad: de Banu Qaynuqa, de Banu Qurayza, den Banu Nadir. Na Ibn Khordadbeh later report say during de Persian Empire ein domination insyd Hejaz, na de Banu Qurayza serve as tax collectors give de Persian Shah.

Na de situation change after de arrival of two new Arab tribes, de 'Aws anaa Banu 'Aws den de Khazraj, dem sanso know as de Banu Khazraj. At first, na dese tribes be allied plus de Jewish tribes wey rule de region, buh na dem later revolt wey dem cam turn independent.

17th century bronze token wey dey depict prophet's Mosque, de inscription below dey read 'Madinah Shareef' (Noble City)

Under de 'Aws den Khazraj

Toward de end of de 5th century, de Jewish rulers lost control of de city to de two Arab tribes.

Chaw modern historians dey accept de claim of de Muslim sources dat after de revolt, de Jewish tribes cam turn clients of de 'Aws den de Khazraj. However, according to Scottish scholar, William Montgomery Watt, de clientship of de Jewish tribes no be borne out by de historical accounts of de period prior to 627, wey na he maintain dat de Jewish populace retain a measure of political independence.

Under Muhammad den de Rashidun

Insyd 622, na Muhammad den an estimated 70 Meccan Muhajirun lef Mecca over a period of a few months for sanctuary insyd Yathrib, an event wey transform de religious den political landscape of de city completely; na de longstanding enmity between de Aus den Khazraj tribes be dampened as chaw of de two Arab tribes den sam local Jews embrace de new religion of Islam. Muhammad, link to de Khazraj thru ein great-grandmommie, na dem agree am as de leader of de city. Na de natives of Yathrib wey convert to Islam of any background—pagan Arab anaa Jewish—na dem be called de Ansar ("de Patrons" anaa "de Helpers").

Battle of Uhud

Mount Uhud, plus de old Mosque of de Leader of Martyrs (جامع سيد الشهداء), dem name after Muhammad ein uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, insyd de foreground. Na dem demolish de mosque insyd 2012 wey na dem build a new, larger mosque plus de same name for ein place.

Insyd de year 625, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, a senior chieftain of Mecca wey later convert to Islam, lead a Meccan force against Medina. Na Muhammad march out make he meet de Qurayshi army plus an estimated 1,000 troops, buh just as de army approach de battlefield, 300 men under 'Abd Allah ibn Ubayy withdraw, wey deal a severe blow to de Muslim army dema morale. Muhammad continue dey march plus ein now 700-strong force wey he order a group of 50 archers make dem climb a small hill, dem now call Jabal ar-Rummaah (De Archers' Hill) make dem keep an eye for de Meccan dema cavalry top den make dem provide protection to de rear of de Muslim dema army. As na de battle heat up, de Meccans be forced make dem retreat. Na de frontline be pushed further den further away from de archers wey na dem dey foresee de battle to be a victory give de Muslims, de archers decide make dem lef dema posts make dem pursue de retreating Meccans. Na a small party, however, stay behind; wey dem dey plead de rest make dem no disobey Muhammad ein orders.

Battle of de Trench

Na dem combine three of de Seven Mosques for de site of de Battle of de Trench into de modern Masjid al-Fath, dem picture am hie plus Jabal Sal'aa insyd de background den a shop wey dey sell local goods insyd de foreground.

Insyd 627, na Abu Sufyan lead anoda force toward Medina. Knowing of ein intentions, na Muhammad biz for proposals for defending de northern flank of de city, as na de east den west be protected by volcanic rocks wey na de south be covered plus palm trees. Na Salman al-Farsi, a Persian Sahabi wey na he be familiar plus Sasanian war tactics recommend make dem dig a trench make e protect de city wey Muhammad accept am. Na de subsequent siege cam be known as de Battle of de Trench den de Battle of de Confederates. After a month-long siege den chaw skirmishes, na de Meccans san withdraw secof de harsh winter.

Na dem build de Green Dome insyd 1297 over Muhammad ein rawdhah (residence) den site of burial.

Under subsequent Islamic regimes

Umayyad Caliphate

After na al-Hasan, de son of 'Ali, cede power to Mu'awiyah I, son of Abu Sufyan, na Mu'awiyah march into Kufa, Ali ein capital, wey he receive de allegiance of de local 'Iraqis. Dis be considered to be de beginning of de Umayyad caliphate. Na Mu'awiyah ein governors take special care of Medina wey dem dig de 'Ayn az-Zarqa'a ("Blue Spring") spring along plus a project wey include de creation of underground ducts for de purposes of irrigation. Na dem build dams insyd sam of de wadis den de subsequent agricultural boom lead to de strengthening of de economy.

De Gold dinar of Umar II, dem sanso know as 'Umar ibn Abdulaziz anaa de Fifth of de Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Abbasid Caliphate

Abdulbasit A. Badr, insyd ein book, Madinah, The Enlightened City: History and Landmarks, dey divide dis period into three distinct phases:

Tomb of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, wey start a tradition of greatly funding Medina den dey protect pilgrims wey dey visit de holy city.

De Medina sanctuary den Green Dome, dem photograph insyd 1880 by Muhammad Sadiq. Na dem build de dome during de Mamluk period, buh na dem give ein signature color by de Ottomans nearly 600 years later.

Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo

After de fall of Baghdad, de capital of de Abbasid Empire, to de Mongols, na de Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo take over de Egyptian governorate den effectively gain control of Medina. Insyd 1258, na Medina be threatened by lava from de Harrat Rahat volcanic region buh na e be narrowly saved from being burnt after na de lava turn northward. During Mamluk reign, na de Masjid an-Nabawi catch fire twice. Once insyd 1256, wen na de storage catch fire, wey e burn de entire mosque, den de oda time insyd 1481, wen na de masjid be struck by lightning. Na dis period sanso coincide plus an increase insyd scholarly activity insyd Medina, plus scholars such as Ibn Farhun, Al-Hafiz Zain al-Din al-'Iraqi, Al Sakhawi den odas settle insyd de city. De striking iconic Green Dome dem sanso find ein beginnings as a cupola dem build under Mamluk Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun as-Salihi insyd 1297.

Ottoman rule

First Ottoman period

Insyd 1517, na de first Ottoman period begin plus Selim I ein conquest of Mamluk Egypt. Na dis add Medina to dema territory wey na dem continue de tradition of dey shower Medina plus money den aid. Insyd 1532, na Suleiman the Magnificent build a secure fortress around de city wey na he construct a strong castle dem arm by an Ottoman battalion make he protect de city. Dis sanso be de period insyd wich chaw of de Prophet's Mosque ein modern features be built even though na dem no paint am green yet. Na dese suburbs sanso get walls den gates. Na de Ottoman sultans take a keen interest insyd de Prophet's Mosque wey dem redesign am over den over make e suit dema preferences.

Muhammad Ali, wey keep Medina insyd de hands of de Ottoman Empire for around 30 years after dem take am from de First Saudi State.

First Saudi insurgency

As de Ottomans hold over dema domains dem break loose, na de Madanis pledge alliance to Saud bin Abdulaziz, founder of de First Saudi state insyd 1805, wey na dem quickly take over de city. Insyd 1811, na Muhammad Ali of Egypt, Ottoman commander den Wali of Egypt, command two armies under each of ein two sons make dem seize Medina, de first one, under de elder Towson Pasha, dem fail to take Medina. Buh de second one, a larger army under de command of Ibrahim Pasha, succeed after dem battle a fierce resistance movement.

Muhammad Ali ein era

After defeating ein Saudi foes, na Muhammad Ali take over governance of Medina den although na he no formally declare independence, ein governance take on more of a semi-autonomous style. Na Muhammad ein sons, Towson den Ibrahim, alternate insyd de governance of de city. Na Ibrahim renovate de city ein walls den de Prophet's Mosque.

Na he establish a grand provision distribution center (taqiyya) make dem distribute food den alms to de needy wey Medina live a period of security den peace.Insyd 1840, na Muhammad move ein troops out of de city wey he officially hand de city to de central Ottoman command.

Second Ottoman period

De Hejaz railway track near Wadi Rum insyd Jordan. Jordan dey use de railway today for transporting phosphate.

Four years insyd 1844, after Muhammad Ali ein departure, na dem give Davud Pasha de position of governor of Medina under de Ottoman sultan. Na Davud be responsible for renovating de Prophet's Mosque on Sultan Abdulmejid I ein orders. Wen Abdul Hamid II assume power, na he make Medina stand out of de desert plus a number of modern marvels, wey dey include a radio communication station, a power plant give de Prophet's Mosque den ein immediate vicinity, a telegraph line between Medina den Constantinople, den de Hejaz railway wich run from Damascus to Medina plus a planned extension to Mecca. Within one decade, na de population of de city multiply by leaps den bounds wey dem reach 80,000. Around dis time, na Medina start dey fall prey to a new threat, de Hashemite Sharifate of Mecca insyd de south. Na Medina witness de longest siege insyd ein history during den after World War I.

Modern history

Sharifate of Mecca den Saudi conquest

De Sharif of Mecca, Husayn ibn Ali, first attack Medina for 6 June 1916, insyd de middle of World War I. Four days later, na Husayn hold Medina insyd a bitter 3-year siege, during wich de people face food shortages, widespread disease den mass emigration. Na Fakhri Pasha, governor of Medina, tenaciously hold on during de Siege of Medina from 10 June 1916 wey he refuse to surrender wey he hold on anoda 72 days after de Armistice of Moudros, til na he be arrested by ein own men wey na dem take over de city by de Sharifate for 10 January 1919. Na Husayn largely win de war secof ein alliance plus de British. For anticipation of de plunder den destruction wey go follow, na Fakhri Pasha secretly dispatch de Sacred Relics of Muhammad to de Ottoman capital, Istanbul. As of 1920, na de British describe Medina as "much more self-supporting dan Mecca." After de Great War, na dem proclaim de Sharif of Mecca, Sayyid Hussein bin Ali King of an independent Hejaz. Soon after, na de people of Medina secretly enter an agreement plus Ibn Saud insyd 1924, den ein son, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz conquer Medina as part of de Saudi conquest of Hejaz for 5 December 1925 wich give way to de whole of de Hejaz be incorporated into de modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Under de Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Na de Kingdom of Saudi Arabia focus more on de expansion of de city den de demolition of former sites wey according to dem violate Islamic principles den Islamic law such as de tombs for al-Baqi. Nowadays, de city mostly dey hold religious significance per den as such, just like Mecca, given rise to a number of hotels wey dey surround de Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, wich unlike de Masjid Al-Ḥarām, dem equip am plus an underground parking. Na dem destroy de old city ein walls wey dem replace plus de three ring roads wey dey encircle Medina today, dem name in order of length, King Faisal Road, King Abdullah Road den King Khalid Road. Medina ein ring roads generally see less traffic overall dem compare to de four ring roads of Mecca.

Medina from International Space Station, 2017. Note say North be to de right.

Na dem shut down de old Ottoman railway system after dema departure from de region den de old railway station now be converted into a museum. Na de city recently se anoda connection den mode of transport between am den Mecca, de Haramain high-speed railway line dey connect de two cities via King Abdullah Economic City near Rabigh, King Abdulaziz International Airport den de city of Jeddah insyd under 3 hours.

Destruction of heritage insyd Medina

Saudi Arabia dey uphold Wahhabism as ein religious ideology, wich be hostile to any reverence dem give to historical anaa religious places of significance for fear dat e fi give rise to shirk (idolatry). As a consequence, under Saudi rule, na Medina suffer from considerable destruction of ein physical heritage wey dey include de loss of chaw buildings over a thousand years old. Na critics describe dis as "Saudi vandalism" wey dem claim dat dem lost 300 historic sites wey link to Muhammad, ein family anaa companions insyd Medina den Mecca over de last 50 years. De most famous example of dis be de demolition of al-Baqi.

De train wich na Fakhri Pasha use to transport de Sacred Relics from Medina to Istanbul.

Geography

Mount Uhud for night. De mountain be currently de highest peak insyd Medina wey dey stand for 1,077 m (3,533 ft) of elevation.

Medina dey locate insyd de Hejaz region wich be a 200 km (120 mi) wide strip between de Nafud desert den de Red Sea. E dey locate approximately 720 km (450 mi) northwest of Riyadh wich be for de center of de Saudi desert, de city be 250 km (160 mi) away from de west coast of Saudi Arabia den for an elevation of approximately 620 m (2,030 ft) above sea level. E dey lie for 39º36' longitude east den 24º28' latitude north. E dey cover an area of about 589 km2 (227 sq mi). Na dem divide de city divided into twelve districts, 7 of wich be categorized as urban districts, while de other 5 be categorized as suburban.

Elevation

Like chaw cities insyd de Hejaz region, Medina dey situate for a relatively high elevation. Almost two times as high as Mecca, de city dey situate for 620 m (2,030 ft) above sea level. Mount Uhud be de highest peak insyd Medina wey ebe 1,077 meters (3,533 feet) tall.

Topography

Medina be a desert oasis wey surround by de Hejaz Mountains den volcanic hills. De soil wey dey surround Medina dey consist of mostly basalt, while de hills, especially noticeable to de south of de city, be volcanic ash wich dey date to de first geological period of de Paleozoic Era. E be surrounded by a number of famous mountains, most notably Jabal Al-Hujjaj (De Pilgrims' Mountain) to de west, Sal'aa Mountain to de north-west, Jabal al-'Ir anaa Caravan Mountain to de south den Mount Uhud to de north. De city dey situate for a flat mountain plateau for de tripoint of de three valleys (wadis) of Wadi al 'Aql, Wadi al 'Aqiq, den Wadi al Himdh, for dis reason, der be large green areas amidst a dry deserted mountainous region.

Climate

Under de Köppen climate classification, Medina dey fall insyd a hot desert climate region (BWh). Summers be extremely hot den dry plus daytime temperatures dey average about 43 °C (109 °F) plus nights about 29 °C (84 °F). Temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) no be unusual between June den September. Winters be milder, plus temperatures from 8 °C (46 °F) at night to 25 °C (77 °F) insyd de day. Der be very little rainfall, wich dey fall almost entirely between November den May. Insyd summer, de wind be north-western, while insyd de spring den winters, be south-western.

Climate data for Medina (1991–2020)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	33.2 (91.8)	36.6 (97.9)	40.0 (104.0)	43.0 (109.4)	46.0 (114.8)	48.1 (118.6)	49.0 (120.2)	48.5 (119.3)	46.4 (115.5)	43.5 (110.3)	37.1 (98.8)	33.0 (91.4)	49.0 (120.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	24.4 (75.9)	27.0 (80.6)	30.8 (87.4)	35.5 (95.9)	39.7 (103.5)	43.0 (109.4)	43.0 (109.4)	43.8 (110.8)	42.3 (108.1)	37.3 (99.1)	30.4 (86.7)	26.0 (78.8)	35.3 (95.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	18.3 (64.9)	20.7 (69.3)	24.4 (75.9)	28.9 (84.0)	33.3 (91.9)	36.6 (97.9)	36.8 (98.2)	37.4 (99.3)	35.9 (96.6)	30.7 (87.3)	24.3 (75.7)	20.0 (68.0)	28.9 (84.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	12.1 (53.8)	14.1 (57.4)	17.4 (63.3)	21.7 (71.1)	25.9 (78.6)	29.0 (84.2)	29.8 (85.6)	30.5 (86.9)	28.6 (83.5)	23.5 (74.3)	18.0 (64.4)	14.0 (57.2)	22.1 (71.7)
Record low °C (°F)	1.0 (33.8)	1.4 (34.5)	7.0 (44.6)	11.5 (52.7)	14.0 (57.2)	21.7 (71.1)	22.0 (71.6)	23.0 (73.4)	18.2 (64.8)	11.6 (52.9)	5.0 (41.0)	3.0 (37.4)	1.0 (33.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	8.6 (0.34)	3.0 (0.12)	5.3 (0.21)	6.5 (0.26)	4.5 (0.18)	0.2 (0.01)	1.3 (0.05)	3.9 (0.15)	0.3 (0.01)	5.2 (0.20)	13.9 (0.55)	7.0 (0.28)	59.7 (2.35)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	0.9	0.3	0.6	0.9	0.8	0.1	0.2	0.6	0.1	0.8	1.4	0.8	7.4
Average relative humidity (%)	38	31	25	32	17	12	14	16	14	19	32	38	24
Mean monthly sunshine hours	251.1	243.0	288.3	282.0	297.6	318.0	319.3	294.5	279.0	291.4	255.0	251.1	3,370.3
Mean daily sunshine hours	8.1	8.6	9.3	9.4	9.6	10.6	10.3	9.5	9.3	9.4	8.5	8.1	9.2
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization, Jeddah Regional Climate Center
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (sunshine hours, 1999–2010)

Significance insyd Islam

Medina ein importance as a religious site dey derive from de presence of two mosques, Masjid Quba'a den al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Na dem build both of dese mosques by Muhammad einself. Islamic scriptures dey emphasize de sacredness of Medina. Dem mention Medina chaw times insyd de Quran; two examples be Surah At-Tawbah (verse 101) den Al-Hashr (verse 8). Medinan suras be typically longer dan dema Meccan counterparts wey dem sanso be larger in number. Na Muhammad al-Bukhari record insyd Sahih Bukhari dat na Anas ibn Malik quote Muhammad as saying:

"Medina is a sanctuary from that place to that. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be innovated nor any sin should be committed in it, and whoever innovates in it an heresy or commits sins (bad deeds), then he will incur the curse of God, the angels, and all the people."

De Prophet's Mosque (al-Masjid an-Nabawi)

According to Islamic tradition, a prayer insyd De Prophet's Mosque dey equate to 1,000 prayers insyd any oda mosque except de Masjid al-Haram wer one prayer dey equate to 100,000 prayers insyd any oda mosque. Na de mosque be initially just an open space for prayer plus a raised den covered minbar (pulpit) dem build within seven months wey be located beside Muhammad ein rawdhah (residence, although de word literally dey mean garden) to ein side along plus de houses of ein wifeys. Na dem expand de mosque chaw times thru out history, plus chaw of ein internal features dem develop over time make e suit contemporary standards.

Panoramic view of de Prophet's Mosque, from de east at sunset.

Quba'a Mosque

Ebe Sunnah make dem perform prayer for de Quba'a Mosque. According to a hadith, na Sahl ibn Hunayf report say Muhammad say,

"Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the mosque of Quba' and prays in it, he will have a reward like the Umrah pilgrimage."

Na e be recorded by al-Bukhari den Muslim dat Muhammad use dey go to Quba'a every Saturday make he offer two rak'ahs of Sunnah prayer. Na de mosque for Quba'a be built by Muhammad einself upon ein arrival to de old city of Medina. Na dem refer Quba'a den de mosque insyd de Qur'an indirectly insyd Surah At-Tawbah, verse 108.

Oda sites

Masjid al-Qiblatayn

Masjid al-Qiblatayn be anoda mosque historically important to Muslims. Muslims dey believe dat na dem command Muhammad make he change ein direction of prayer (qibla) from praying toward Jerusalem to praying toward de Ka'bah for Mecca, as na dem command am insyd Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 143 den 144. Dem currently dey expand de mosque make e be able to hold more dan 4,000 worshippers.

Masjid al-Fath den de Seven Mosques

Na three of dese historic six mosques be combined recently into de larger Masjid al-Fath plus an open courtyard. Sunni sources dey contend dat der be no hadith anaa any oda evidence make e prove dat na Muhammad fi say sam thing about de virtue of dese mosques.

Al-Baqi' Cemetery

Al-Baqi' be a significant cemetery insyd Medina wer chaw family members of Muhammad, caliphs den scholars be known dem bury for der.

Insyd Islamic eschatology

End of civilization

Concerning de end of civilization insyd Medina, na Abu Hurairah be recorded he say dat Muhammad say:

"The people will leave Medina in spite of the best state it will have, and none except the wild birds and the beasts of prey will live in it, and the last persons who will die will be two shepherds from the tribe of Muzaina, who will be driving their sheep towards Medina, but will find nobody in it, and when they reach the valley of Thaniyat-al-Wada'h, they will fall down on their faces dead." (al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 30, Hadith 98)

Na Sufyan ibn Abu Zuhair say Muhammad say:

"Yemen will be conquered and some people will migrate (from Medina) and will urge their families, and those who will obey them to migrate (to Yemen) although Medina will be better for them; if they but knew. Sham will also be conquered and some people will migrate (from Medina) and will urge their families and those who will obey them, to migrate (to Sham) although Medina will be better for them; if they but knew. 'Iraq will be conquered and some people will migrate (from Medina) and will urge their families and those who will obey them to migrate (to 'Iraq) although Medina will be better for them; if they but knew." (al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 30, Hadith 99)

Protection from plague den ad-Dajjal (de False Messiah)

Plus regards to Medina ein protection from plague den ad-Dajjal, na dem record de ahadith wey dey follow:

by Abu Bakra:

"The terror caused by Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal will not enter Medina and at that time Medina will have seven gates and there will be two angels at each gate guarding them." (al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 30, Hadith 103)

by Abu Hurairah:

"There are angels guarding the entrances (or roads) of Medina, neither plague nor Ad-Dajjal will be able to enter it." (al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 30, Hadith 104)

Demographics

As of 2018, na de recorded population of Medina province be 2,188,138, plus a growth rate of 2.32%. E be a destination of Muslims from around de world, Medina dey witness illegal immigration after dem perform Hajj anaa Umrah, despite de strict rules de government enforce. However, na de Central Hajj Commissioner Prince Khalid bin Faisal state dat na de numbers of illegal staying visitors drop by 29% insyd 2018.

Religion

As plus chaw cities insyd Saudi Arabia, Islam be de religion wey de majority of de population of Medina dey follow.

Sunnis of different schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i den Hanbali) dey constitute de majority, while der be a significant Shia minority insyd den around Medina, such as de Nakhawila. Outsyd de haram, der be significant numbers of Non-Muslim migrant workers den expats.

Notable people

• Aziz Diya (1914–1997), writer

Read further

• Badr, Abdulbasit A. (2013). Madinah, The Enlightened City: History and Landmarks. Medina: Al-Madinah Al Munawwarah Research & Studies Center. ISBN 978-603-90414-7-4
• Mubarakpuri, Safiur Rahman (2004). The History of Madinah Munawwarah. Riyadh: Darussalam Publishers. ISBN 978-996-08921-1-5

External links

• Medina (online exhibition as part of "Hajj: a cultural history")