Ziyarat Of Madinah

Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah المدينة المنورة

Madinah Munawarrah (“the enlightened city”) ranks as the second holiest place in Islam after Makkah. It is the city that gave refuge to the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) and the early Muslims upon their migration from Makkah and where lies the burial place of the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم). The city of Madinah was originally known as Yathrib.

It is reported by Anas (رضي الله عنه): Whenever the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) returned from a journey and observed the walls of Madinah, he would make his mount go fast, and if he was on an animal (i.e. a horse), he would make it gallop because of his love for Madinah [Bukhari]. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم): “For the believer, Madinah is the best place. If only they could understand it’s virtue fully, they would never leave it, and whoever departs from Madinah, having become disenchanted with it, Allah will send someone better to replace him. And whoever bears patiently the ordeals of Madinah, for him shall I be an intercessor(or witness) on the Day of Qiyamah.” [Muslim]
It is reported by Aisha (رضي الله عنھا): When we came to Madinah, it was an unhealthy, uncongenial place. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) fell sick and Bilal (رضي الله عنه) also fell sick; and when Allah’s Messenger (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) saw the illness of his Companions he said: “O Allah, make Madinah as beloved to us as you made Makkah beloved or more than that; make it conducive to health, and bless us in its sa’ and mudd’ (two standards of weight and measurement) and transfer its fever to Juhfa.” [Bukhari]
It is mentioned in another hadith: “There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal (the anti-Christ) will not enter except Makkah and Madinah, and there will be no entrance (road) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Madinah will shake with its inhabitants thrice and Allah will expel all the nonbelievers and the hypocrites from it.” [Bukhari]
Reported by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said, “Verily, Belief returns and goes back to Madinah as a snake returns and goes back to its hole (when in danger).” [Bukhari]

Inside Masjid-e-Nabwi

Masjid-e-Nabwi is the masjid (mosque) established by the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) upon his migration to Madinah. It is the second most revered masjid in Islam and the second largest in the world, after Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.

Anas (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “Whoever performs forty salah in my masjid, not missing one salah in the masjid, for him is granted exemption from the fire of Hell, and exemption from punishment and he shall remain free of hypocrisy.” [Ahmad]
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “One salah offered in my masjid is superior to one thousand salahs offered in other masjids except Masjid al-Haram (Makkah al-Mukarramah).” [Bukhari]

When the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) migrated to Madinah (then called Yathrib), the chiefs of the city and his immediate followers rode around his camel in their best clothes and in glittering armour. Everyone was hoping he would stop by their house. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) would answer everyone politely and kindly, “[This camel] is commanded by Allah; wherever it stops, that will be my home.” The camel moved on with slackened reins, reaching the site of the present masjid and knelt down. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) alighted and said, “This is the home” and inquired as to who owned the land. The land contained a few date trees, graves of polytheists, a resting spot for herds of cattle and was owned by two orphan brothers, Sahl and Suhail. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) purchased the land, had the trees cleared and the polytheists graves dug up and levelled.

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) gave the Muslims of Madinah the title of ‘Ansar’ which means Helpers, whereas the Muslims of Quraysh and other tribes who had left their homes and emigrated to the oasis he called ‘Muhajirun’, meaning Emigrants. All took part in the work, including the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) himself, and as they worked they chanted two verses which one of them had made up for the occasion: “O Allah, no good is but the good Hereafter, So help the Helpers and the Emigrants.” And sometimes they chanted: “No life there is but the life of the Hereafter. Mercy, O Allah, on Emigrants and Helpers.”

Riadhul Jannah رياض الجنة

The area between the Sacred Chamber and the Pulpit (Mimbar) is known as the Riadhul Jannah i.e. Garden of Paradise. It is presently distinguished by a green carpet and is also referred to as Rawdah.

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “Between my house and my pulpit lays a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit is upon my fountain (Al-Kauthar).” [Bukhari]

Mimbar (pulpit) منبر

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) used to lean against the trunk of a palm tree when he was tired or exhausted while delivering a sermon. The Ansar humbly suggested to him, “If you approve, we can make a pulpit for you.” The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) approved it and a pulpit was made. Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) sat on this pulpit to make an address. When the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) started using the new pulpit, the old tree yearned for him like a camel missing its calf. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) hugged the trunk until it had calmed down and then ordered that a ditch be dug and the trunk buried decently into it.

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) used to stand on the third rung while delivering his sermons. When Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) became caliph, he stood on the second rung and Umar bin Khattab (رضي الله عنه) stood on the first. Caliph Usman bin Affan did as Umar (رضي الله عنه) had done for six years before he returned to the old position of the Prophet. Amir Muawiyyah (رضي الله عنه) made a pulpit consisting of nine rungs. The leaders started sitting on the seventh rung. The pulpit has since been kept in this form and the Khateeb has been sitting on the seventh rung since that time.

Mehrab-e-Tahajjud تهجد

This raised platform, behind the Rawdah Mubarak and in line with Bab-e-Jibraeel, is the approximate place where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) used to spread his prayer mat and perform the Tahajjud salah from time to time.

Islamic landmarks in MADINAH

MASJID AL QUBA مسجدقباء

Quba is the place on the outskirts of Madinah where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم), accompanied by Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) arrived and first stayed after emigrating from Makkah. They arrived on Monday 12th Rab’i al-Awwal, fourteen years after Prophethood and this date marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijra), (16th July 622 CE). A masjid was established here by the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم), the first to be built in Islam.

The virtue of Masjid Qubas is mentioned in the following Quranic verse in Surah Taubah: “…certainly a masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it…” [9:108]
(صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said: “He who purifies himself at his home and comes to Masjid Quba and offers two rakats therein, will be rewarded the reward of an Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).” [Sunan ibn Majah]

MASJID AL QIBLATAIN مسجد القبلتين

This is Masjid Qiblatain (Mosque of the Two Qiblas). It is historically important to Muslims as this is where in Rajjab 2 AH the revelation of the Quran came to change the direction of the Qibla from Bait-al-Muqaddas in Jerusalem to the Ka’bah in Makkah.

During Dhuhr prayer (or it was said that it was Asar), the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) had led his Companions when he was commanded to face towards the Ka’bah by the following revelation in the Quran in Surah al-Baqarah: “Verily, We have seen the turning of your (Muhammed’s) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction.” [2:144 ]

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) turned around towards the Ka’bah and the Sahabah copied out of obedience. Thus the Ka’bah became the new Qibla of the Muslims for all time to come.
Masjid Qiblatain used to uniquely contain two mehrabs, one in the direction of Bait-al-Maqdis and the other towards Makkah. However, the old mehrab has now been covered.

MASJID AL GHAMAMA مسجد الغمامة

This masjid, located about 300m south-west of Masjid-e-Nabwi is known as Masjid Ghamama. It is built on the site where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) performed the Eid salah during the last years of his life.

This is also the location where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) performed Salatul Istisqa (a special salah for invocation of rain). The word Ghamama means clouds which suddenly appeared and brought rain after the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) had performed the prayer.

MASJID AL JUMMAH مسجد الجمعة

Masjid Jummah, on the boundary of Madinah marks the site where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) led the first Jummah salah, shortly after his Hijrah (migration) from Makkah. It is about 2.5 km from Masjid-e-Nabwi.

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) left Quba on a Friday to head into Madinah. About a kilometer from Quba he passed the village of Banu Salim bin Auf. The people of Banu Salim implored: “O Prophet of Allah, you stayed at the homes of our cousins for a number of days, reward us too with something, for they will pride themselves over us till the Day of Judgement that you stayed with them”. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) dismounted and offered his first Jummah in their locality.

MASJID EJABAH مسجد الاجابة

The significance of Masjid Ejabah (also known as Masjid Mu’awiyah) is that it is the location where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) supplicated to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) for three things. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) answered two of his requests, but not the third. The Arabic word ‘ejabah’ in english closely means ‘responding’.

Masjid AL Mustarah مسجد المستراح

Masjid Mustarah is where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) rested and prayed after the battle of Uhud. The meaning of Mustarah is to ‘take rest’.

This site was an important strategic location for the security of Madinah.
Whenever the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) used to visit the grave of Hamza (رضي الله عنه) and the other martyrs of Uhud he used to take rest here.

Masjid Ahzab - Masaajid Sab’ah (The Seven Mosques) مسجد الاحزاب

Masjid Ahzab is one of the group of masjids known collectively as Masaajid Sab’ah (The Seven Mosques), the others being Masjid Salman Farsi, Masjid Ali, Masjid Umar, Masjid Sa’ad, Masjid Abu Bakr and the seventh is Masjid Qiblatain. Some of these masjids have now been dismantled.

This masjid is where the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) made dua (supplication) during the Battle of Ahzab and where Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sent him the glad tidings of victory.

Masjid Shaikhain مسجد الشيخين

Masjid Shaikhain marks the spot where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) prayed salah on the eve of the battle of Uhud on the 14th Sha’ban 3AH (625 CE). The preparations for the battle were made here.

Masjid Bani Haram مسجد بني حرام

Masjid Bani Haram holds historical importance as it stands in the area where the clan of Bani Haram lived. This is also where the camps of the Muslims were based during the Battle of Ahzab (War of the Trench). The house of the sahabi Jabir (رضي الله عنه) was located here.

Al-Ghars well بئر غرس

Located approximately one kilometer north of Masjid Quba, the Al-Ghars well was a place from which the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) drank and made a request that he be bathed with its water after his demise.

Ibn Majar quoted Ali ibn Abu Talib (رضي الله عنه) as saying, the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said:
“When I die, wash me with seven waterskins from Al-Ghars Well. He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) also used to drink from this well.”

Jabal Uhudجبل احد

This is a section of Mount Uhud, in front of which the second battle in Islam (the Battle of Uhud) took place in 3 AH. Of this mountain the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) declared, “This mountain loves us and we love it.” [Muslim]

Cave of Uhud غار احد

This naturally formed cave, on the side of Mount Uhud facing Masjid-e-Nabwi is where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) took refuge after being wounded during the Battle of Uhud. He was carried there on the back of Talha (رضي الله عنه).

Jabal Rumah جبل الرماة

This small mountain in front of Mount Uhud is where the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) had positioned archers during the Battle of Uhud with the strict instructions not to move. It was the desertion of their posts by many of the archers on thinking the battle was over that led to a reversal of fortune for the Muslims in the war.

JANNAT UL BAQI جنة البقيع

Jannatul Baqi (Garden of Heaven) is the main cemetery of Madinah. Buried there are many members of the Prophet’s (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) close family, around ten thousand of his companions (Sahabah) and many prominent, pious personalities.

Aisha (رضي الله عنھا) reported (that whenever it was her turn for the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) to spend the night with her) he would go out towards the end of the night to al-Baqi and say: “Peace be upon you, abode of a people who are believers. What you were promised would come to you tomorrow, you receiving it after some delay; and God willing we shall join you. O Allah, grant forgiveness to the inhabitants of Baqi al-Gharqad.” [Muslim]

Bani Haram cave غار بني حرام

This small structure is where a cave existed on the western side of Mount Sila. It’s known as the Bani Haram cave and also as the Cave of Prostration because of the event mentioned below.

Muadh-bin-Jabal (رضي الله عنه) was once looking for the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) and kept enquiring after his whereabouts until he finally found him in prostration in the above cave. The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) remained in prostration for a long time, then said, “Jibraeel came to me and said, ‘Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, gives you His salam and says to you, “How would you like me to treat your community?’” I said, ‘Allah knows best!’ So he went, then returned saying, ‘He says to you, ”I shall never distress you on account of your community.’” So I prostrated myself, for the best that a slave can do to draw nearer to God is prostration.” [Al-Haytami, Majma al-Zawaid]
The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) is said to have spent some nights in this cave during the Battle of Khandaq, for it was away from the front line.

Jabl Ayr (Mount Ayr) مجبل أنعم

Jabl Ayr (Mount Ayr) is the second largest mountain in Madinah after Uhud and marks the southern boundary of Madinah. (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) described it as a mountain of Hell.

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) declared, “Uhud is a mountain which loves us and which we love, it is upon the Gate of Heaven” adding, “And Ayr is a place which hates us and which we hate, it is upon the Gate of Hell.”
‘Ayr’ means a ‘wild ass’, whereas Uhud is derived from Ahad, meaning ‘one’, — so called because it is fated to be the place of victory to those who worship one God. The very names, say Muslim sages, make it abundantly evident that even as the men of Al-Madinah were of two parties, friendly and hostile to the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم), so were these mountains.

Enquiry

request a quote