A Brief Historical Guide to Madeenah
Based on
“Madinah
the Englightened City – History and Landmarks”
By Al-Madinah
Al-Munawwarah Research and Studies Center. 2013.
By Umm ‘Abdir Rahmaan Tara Hashim
1439 AH/2018 CE
Download this in a Word Doc Click here
A Brief
Historical Guide to Madeenah
Contents
1.
Introduction
2. Population
3. Ruling powers over Madeenah
4. Names of Madeenah
5. Merits of Madeenah
6. Sanctity of Madeenah
7. The Prophet’s Masjid صلى الله عليه وسلم
8. The Hujrah
9. The Rawdah
10. Mihraab
11. Minbar
12. As Suffah
13. Domes
14. Minarets
15. History of the Construction of Masjid Nabawee
16. Famous Masaajid/landmarks in Madeenah
17. Saqifah Bani Sa’idah
18. Al Jurf
19.
Uhud
Introduction: Madeenah
Before Islaam:
·
Madeenah is one of the most
ancient cities in the world.
·
It was founded by one of
Prophet Nooh’s (Noah) عليه السلام grandchildren right after the flood. He
was called Yathrib and he lead a tribe called Obayl.
·
When the Babylonion King Nebuchadnezzar
displaced the Jews in 589BC some of them settled in Yathrib (Madeenah). There
were three Jewish tribes called Banu Nadheer بنو نظير ,
Banu Qaynuqaa بنو قينقاء and Banu Quraydha بنو قريظة.
·
The Aws and Khazraj tribes
came from Yemen originally and settled in Yathrib.
·
The Jews needed labourers
and they used the Aws and Khazraj. Then later the Jews started fighting them.
Then the Jews caused trouble between the tribes themselves and they started
fighting each other. The Aws and Khazraj accepted Islaam and lived in harmony
with each other afterwards.
Population of Madeenah:
Population
|
Era
|
Reasons/Comments
|
|
12,000-15,000
|
Before Islaam
|
||
30,000
|
11 AH/
632 CE
|
At the death of the Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم
|
|
decreased
|
Khulaafaa ar Raashidoon
|
People left to join the conquests
|
|
Increased
|
Umayyad Era
|
||
Decreased
|
Abbasid Era
|
Sedition and poor economy
|
|
80,000
|
1300 AH/
1900 CE
|
Ottoman Era
|
Population flourished due to the opening of Hijaaz Railway
|
Decreased
|
World War I
|
Conflict between Ottomans and Hashemites
|
|
137,000
|
1391 AH/
1971 CE
|
Saudi Era
|
|
608,000
|
1413 AH/
1992 CE
|
||
900,000
|
1420 AH/
1999 CE
|
||
1,167,350
|
1434 AH/
2012 CE
|
Ruling Powers over Madeenah
AH
|
CE
|
|
1-11
|
622-632
|
Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم Era
|
11-40
|
632-660
|
Khulafaa ar Raashidoon
|
40-132
|
660-749
|
Umayyad Era
|
132-656
|
749-1258
|
Abbasid Era
|
625-923
|
1254-1517
|
Memluk Era
|
923-1220
|
1517-1805
|
1st Ottoman Era
|
1220-1226
|
1805-1811
|
1st Saudi Era
|
1226-1256
|
1811-1840
|
Muhammad Ali Pasha Era
|
1256-1337
|
1840-1918
|
2nd Ottoman Era
|
1337-1344
|
1918-1925
|
The Hashemite Era
|
1344- today
|
1925- today
|
Current Saudi Era
|
Names of Madeenah
Historians have counted 100 names for Madeenah but only 6 have been
mentioned in authentic ahaadeeth:
1.
Yathrib يثرب (the old name before Islaam changed it to Madeenah)
2. Madeenah المدينة
3. Taabah طابة
4. Taybah طَيْبَة
5. Ad Daar الدار
6.
Al Eemaan الإيمان
Historical names:
1.
Al Miskinah (humble)
2.
Jabirah (Mighty)
3.
Majboorah
4.
Al Mahboobah
5.
Qasimah
6.
Daar al Abraar
7.
Daar al Hijrah
8.
Daar us Salaam
9.
Daar al Fath
10.
Mukhtarah
11.
Salihah
12.
Al Munawwarah (Enlightened)
13.
Daar al Mustaphaa
14.
Qaryatul Ansaar
15.
Dhatul Hirar
16.
Dhatul Akhyaar
17.
Al Marhoomah
18.
Al Khayirah
19.
Shafi’ah
20.
Al Mubaarakah
21.
Al Mu’minah
22.
Al Marzooqah
Merits of Madeenah
1.
Place of Hijrah (from
Makkah to Madeenah)
2. Home of Divine Revelation
3. Home of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
4. Place of the Prophet’s Masjid
5. First Islamic Community
6.
First capital of Islaam –
historical and religious landmarks
Ahaadeeth mentioning the merits of Madeenah:
1.
‘Abdullaah bin Yazeed رضي الله عنه narrated,
“Ibraaheem sanctified Makkah and supplicated Allaah for its blessings, and
Madeenah has been sanctified just like Makkah and I supplicated Allaah for
blessings in its weights as Ibraaheem did for the weights of Makkah.”
2. Sahl bin Haneef رضي الله عنه said,
the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed out with his hand to Madeenah and
said, “It is a safe sanctuary.”
3. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated,
“Madeenah is a sanctuary, he who innovates in its territory, shelters such
innovators, or commits a sin therein will incur the curse of Allaah, the
angels, and all the people. Allaah will not accept his deeds or any ransom on
the Day of Judgement.”
4. Jaabir رضي الله عنه narrated, “Madeenah is like a furnace that
removes impurity and improves quality.”
5. Jaabir رضي
الله عنه narrated, “Whoever terrifies the people of Madeenah, he
terrifies what is on my side.”
6. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated, “Verily, true faith takes refuge in
Madeenah as a snake takes refuge in its hole.”
7. Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه narrated, “Whoever can manage to die in Madeenah
should die therein for I will intercede for those who die in Madeenah.”
8. Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه narrated, “I went out
with the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم to serve him. On his return when Mount
Uhud appeared, he remarked, ‘Uhud is a Mountain that loves us and we love it.’
He then pointed with his hand to Madeenah and said, ‘I sanctify the area
between its two Volcanic Fields as Ibraaheem sanctified Makkah. O Allaah put
blessings in our weights.”
9. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated, “A time will come upon Madeenah
when relatives will invite each other: ‘come and settle at another place where
living is cheap, come to where there is plenty.’ But in reality Madeenah will
be better for them, would they but know! By Him in whose hand is my life, none
amongst them will leave the city with a dislike for it except that Allaah will
replace him with someone better. Behold! Madeenah is like a furnace which
eliminates impurities. The Last Hour will not come until Madeenah discards its
evil people just as a furnace removes impurities from metal.”
10. ‘Aaishah رضي الله عنها
said that she heard Sa’eed al Khudree narrating that he heard the
Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, “No-one plots against the people
of Madeenah except that he will be dissolved (destroyed) like salt is dissolved
in water.”
11. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated, “There are angels guarding the
entrances (or roads) of Madeenah. Neither any plague nor the Dajjaal
(Antichrist) will be able to enter it.”
12. Amr bin Sa’d رضي الله عنه on the authority
of his Father narrates that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said, “Whoever eats seven Ajwah dates in the morning, no poison nor magic can
hurt him that day.”
13.
Amr bin Sa’d رضي الله عنه on the authority of his Father narrates
that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever eats seven dates from the
area between Madeenah’s two Volcanic Fields in the morning, will be immune from
poison until the evening.”
Sanctity of Madeenah
The places of the sacred boundaries
of Madeenah are:
a.
In the South from Mount
‘Ayrجبل عير
b.
In the North from Mount
Thawrجبل ثور (not the same Jabal Thawr south of Makkah
where the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Abu Bakr hid themselves in).
c.
In the West from Wabarah
Volcanic Tract حرة وبرة
d.
In the East from Waaqim
Volcanic Tract حرة واقم
Madeenah’s Sanctity and
Sacredness
Hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim, the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Ibraheem sanctified Makkah and made
it a sanctuary, and I have sanctified Madeenah as a sanctuary between its two
mountains, and that no blood may be shed therein and no weapon to be carried
therein for war, and no trees can be cut except for providing food.”
e.
No bloodshed is allowed in
Madeenah
f.
No cutting down its trees
g.
No hunting
h.
The punishment for sins are
more severe in Madeenah
Description of Masjid Nabawee
The Hujrah
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم lived in a one room house next to the
Masjid. It was said that it measured approximately 3.5m x 5m. He صلى الله عليه وسلم died and was
buried in that same room which was ‘Aaishah’s house. Today it is fenced off and
is called the ‘Hujrah’ Honourable Room/Chamber.
The original house was said to be made of mud bricks and palm leaves.
The roof was covered with goat skin and the door was made from juniper or teak
wood. The door opened out into his Masjid (what is called the Rawdah area). The
furniture that was said to be in the house consisted of a straw mat, a bed of
palm leaves, a leather cushion filled with fibre, a tanned animal skin for
prayer and a large steel tray to feed people.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away in this Hujrah and was buried
facing the Qiblah. The Northern part of the room continued to be ‘Aaishah’s
room رضي الله عنها till
she passed away. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه (her Father) was buried next to the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم behind him at shoulder length. Then ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was buried behind Abu Bakr from his
shoulder. ‘Aaishah رضي الله
عنها had a curtain put between her part of the room and the graves.
Protection of the Graves
Date
|
Who
|
What and why
|
86-91 AH
|
‘Umar bin ‘Abdul Azeez
|
Fenced off the graves with a pentagonal wall with no door.
This is when the masjid was expanded around the graves.
|
557 AH
|
Noorudeen azZinki
|
Fence of lead with deep foundations due to the crusaders trying to
dig under the masjid and steal the noble corpse of the Prophet. صلى الله عليه وسلم
|
668 AH
1269 CE
|
Mamluk Sultan az Zahir Baibars
|
Constructed a 3 door wooden cabin 3.5m high around the honourable
Hujrah, the house of ‘Aaisha رضي الله عنها ,
part of the Rawdah and the house of Faatimah رضي
الله عنها
|
694 AH
1294 CE
|
Mamluk Sultan Zayn ad Deen Kitbugha
|
Raised the cabin to the ceiling
|
887 AH
1482 CE
|
Sultan Qaitbay
|
Rebuilt the cabin from copper on the Qiblah side and green painted
steel for the other sides with copper bars at the top. This was after a fire
broke out and burnt the wooden cabin.
This is the same style that has been preserved to this day
|
The Rawdah
Approximate Diagram of the
Prophet’s صلى الله
عليه وسلم House in relation to his Masjid.
The Rawdah is between the Minbar and
his House (see the dotted line).
The Hadeeth regarding the Rawdah:
“Between my house and my pulpit (minbar) lays a garden from
the gardens of Paradise.”
The blue dotted line is the approximate boundary of the
Rawdah. It is about 330m2.
A good guide to see if you are in the Rawdah today is by
looking for the ‘green carpets’. The rest of the masjid is covered in red
carpets so it is easier to work out where you are.
Minbar = pulpit Mihraab
= Prayer niche Istiwaanah
= pillars
It is said that certain events took place at specific spots
which are now marked with marble pillars. (The pillars used to be from palm
trunks and when they rotted away they were replaced). Today the pillars are
made from marble. The following are the significant pillars (istiwaanah) in the
Rawdah (However, there are differences of opinion as to which ones match the
stories exactly and even if we know, there is nothing specific of worship to do
at these places – this is for information and historical background only. Some
people will invent specific acts to do at each pillar which is bid’ah and
prohibited. The religion is complete and not in need of additions which have no
proofs. Some people wipe and kiss the pillars seeking blessings. Again this is
bid’ah and can lead to shirk).
I have marked the spots on the diagram above:
- The Perfumed Pillar (Mukhalaqah)
- ‘Aaishah’s Pillar
- The Pillar of Tawbah
- The Bed Pillar
- The Guard Pillar
- The Delegates’ Pillar
- The Murab’ah al Qabr
The Stories behind the Pillars:
- The Perfumed Pillar (Mukhalaqah)
It
is next to the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم mihraab.
a.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saw some dry spit on it which disturbed
him so one of the Companions removed it and fragranced the place which pleased
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
b.
This pillar is also in the
place of the palm tree trunk which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
used to lean on to deliver his khutbahs. When a purpose built minbar was made
for him in 7AH the palm tree began to cry loudly until it cracked. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم descended from his minbar and rubbed the
trunk till it stopped crying.
- ‘Aaishah’s Pillar
In
the centre of the Rawdah to the left of the mihraab is where the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
prayed (his mihrab) after the change of the Qiblah. However he later
changed to the previous one marked in the Rawdah today. Some of the Companions
and Taabi’een used to sit there.
- The Pillar of Tawbah/ or the Pillar of Abi Lubaabah al Ansaari
The
Companion Abi Lubaabah tied himself to the pillar in order to repent for his
sin. Allaah revealed His forgiveness and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
untied him.
- The Bed Pillar (Sareer)
The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم performed I’tikaaf and he put his bedding
there.
- The Guard Pillar (hars)
Some
Companions would sit there to guard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
.
- The Delegates’ Pillar (Wufood)
The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would sit there to receive the Arab
delegations that came to see him.
- The Square Grave Pillar (Murab’ah al Qabr)
It
is the corner of the northwest square of the Hujrah (room).
The Ottoman Sultan Selim covered these specific pillars in
the Rawdah with white marble and red marble half way up.
The Mihraab (Prayer niche – indicating the direction of the
qiblah and normally where the Imam stands)
There are five mihraab in the Masjid:
1.
The Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم Niche
2. The ‘Uthmaanee Niche (when Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan expanded the
masjid this is where he used to lead prayers from).
3. Tahajjud Niche
4. Faatimah’s Niche (now inside the Hujrah where she used to live)
5.
Sulaymaani Niche/ Hanafi
Niche (a Hanafi Imaam was appointed to lead from here and it was renovated by
Sultan Sulaimaan).
The Minbar
The Minbar or Pulpit is from where the Prophet صلى الله
عليه وسلم would deliver his speeches and khutab from.
1-7 AH The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم delivered the Khutbah standing and he
would lean on a palm
tree trunk.
7/8 AH A minbar
was made out of tamarisk wood and placed east of his mihraab. It had 3 steps.
? The
Governor of Mu’aawiyah, Marwaan bin al Hakam, added 6 more steps to make 9 steps. The Khalifah
stood on the 7th step (which was the 1st step of the
Prophet’s Minbar).
It was burned in a fire in the year 654 AH (1226 CE).
654 AH? Muzzaffar
the King of Yemen sent a new minbar to replace it and it was replaced numerous
times since then.
998 AH Ottoman
Sultaan Murad was the last to replace it up until this day.
(1589 CE)
Merits of the Pulpit
1.
On the authority of Abu
Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
said, “Between my house and my pulpit there is a garden of Paradise, and my
pulpit is on my heavenly Pool (al Kawthar).”
2. On the authority of Sahl bin Sa’d رضي الله عنه,
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “My pulpit lies on the bank of one
of the streams of Paradise.” (Ahmad and others).
3. On the authority of Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها,
“The posts of my pulpit are ranks in Paradise.” (An Nisaa’ee and others).
4.
On the authority of Jaabir
bin ‘Abdullaah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever makes a fake oath near my
pulpit, even over something little, will take his place in Hellfire.” Or “He
will be destined to hell.” (Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah).
As Suffah
As Suffah was a place at the back of the masjid where the poor
muhaajiroon (emigrants from Makkah) and visitors who had no-where to stay
lived. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered this area to be covered and shaded
in palm leaves. The wealthy companions used to bring some of them to their
homes to feed them and farmers used to send them baskets of dates and hang them
from the ceiling of the Suffah. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
was the most well-known of Ahlus Suffah. They were close to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and would study Islaam and participate in
the battles. When ‘Umar رضي الله عنه expanded the Prophet’s Masjid there was no
longer a need for the Suffah as charity was distributed to all the Muslims.
Al Aghawaat Platform is where the servants of the Masjid used to stay.
It is north of the Hujrah and was built in 87-93 AH (705-711 CE) by Al Waleed
bin ‘Abdul Malik and it still exists today.
Domes
678 AH (1297CE ) The first dome was built over the
Prophet’s Hujrah صلى الله عليه وسلم by Memluk Sultan al Mansoor
Qalawoon as Salihi.
1227-1265 AH (1828-1860CE) Majidi Construction. 170 domes erected in
the Southern Portico.
? In
the last Saudi Expansion, 27 electronic sliding mobile domes were added.
Minarets
88 AH (706 CE) Al
Waleed bin ‘Abdul Malik added 4 minarets as the rooftops were not enough for the increased
population to hear the adhaan.
96 AH (714 CE) The
South-West Minaret collapsed.
706 AH (1306 CE) Memluk
Sultan Nasir bin Muhammad Qalawoon reconstructed it.
? In
the Qaitbay Era a 5th minaret was added near ar Rahmah Gate.
1st
Saudi Expansion only 2 minarets remained.
Last
Saudi Expansion 8 minarets were added to the north side (total 10)
History of the Construction of Masjid Nabawee
AH
|
CE
|
Who?
|
What?
|
Total area
|
1 AH
|
622 CE
|
The Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم
|
1st Built Masjid an Nabawee
|
1,060m2
|
7 AH
|
628 CE
|
The Prophet
صلى الله عليه وسلم
|
Expanded east, west, north sides
|
2,475m2
|
17 AH
|
638 CE
|
‘Umar bin al Khattaab
|
Added 1,100m2
South, west, north
|
3,575m2
|
29 AH
|
649 CE
|
‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan
|
Added 470m2
South, west, north
|
|
88 AH
|
706 CE
|
Umayyad Khalifah al Waleed bin ‘Abdul Malik and his governor of
Madeenah: ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul Azeez
|
Added to the west, north, east.
(first time the house of the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم was included inside the masjid expansion)
|
6,044m2
|
161 AH
|
777 CE
|
‘Abbasid Khalifah al Mahdi
|
Added to the north
|
8890 m2
|
654 AH
|
1226 CE
|
Huge fire and rebuilt
|
8890 m2
|
|
879 AH
|
1474 CE
|
Memluk Sultan Qaitbay
|
Parts reconstructed
|
|
886 AH
|
1481 CE
|
Huge fire and rebuilt. Expanded 120m2. 5th
minaret added above Rahmah gate
|
9010 m2
|
|
1286 AH
|
1848 CE
|
Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majeed
|
2 storeys. Expanded north.
Added 1293m2
|
|
1370-1375 AH
|
1950-1955 CE
|
King Abdul Azeez
|
Expanded south portico.
Expanded east, west, north
|
16,327m2
|
1393 AH
|
1973 CE
|
King Faisal
|
South shaded area. Added 4550m2
|
|
1405-1415 AH
|
1995-2005 CE
|
King Fahd
|
Biggest expansion ever undertaken which took 10 years.
Underground car park for 5000 cars, AC engines complex linked by 7km
tunnel.
|
400,327m2
|
1426
1433 AH
|
2005 CE
2012 CE
|
King ‘Abdullaah
|
250 huge electronic umbrellas in the courtyard for shade. Fans and
humidifiers.
Planned bigger expansion for 2 million worshippers but not executed
yet.
|
The
Famous Masajid in Madeenah and their Significance
Name of Masjid
|
Specific Islamic worship to do
|
Description of worship
|
Reward
|
Significance
|
|
1
|
Masjid Qubaa
|
P
|
Wudu from house, pray 2 rak’ah
|
Reward of ‘Umrah
|
1st Masjid built
Both qiblahs were prayed to
|
2
|
Masjid an Nabawee
|
P
|
Pray any prayer
|
1000 x reward
|
Can only intend to travel to this
masjid, Masjidul Haram in Makkah and Jerusalem – no others
|
3
|
Masjid al Meeqaat
|
P
|
Pray 2 rak’ah
|
Angel told us to pray in this blessed
valley
|
|
4
|
Masjid al Jumu’ah
|
O
|
1st Jumu’ah prayer
|
||
5
|
Masjid al Ijaabah
|
O
|
Du’aa not to be destroyed by famine or
flooding
|
||
6
|
Masjid as Sajdah
|
O
|
Made shukr for Allaah sending
blessings on someone who sends salaam upon the Prophet صلى
الله عليه وسلم
|
||
7
|
Masjid al Qiblatayn
|
O
|
Change of qiblah
|
||
8
|
Masjid ar Raayah
|
O
|
Place of flag battle of Trench
|
||
9
|
Masjid al Ghamaamah
|
O
|
Eid salah – clouds
|
||
10
|
Masjid of Abu Bakr
|
O
|
Eid musalla
|
||
11
|
Masjid of ‘Umar bin al Khattaab
|
O
|
Eid musalla
|
||
12
|
Masjid of ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib
|
O
|
Eid musalla
|
||
13
|
Masjid al Fath
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
14
|
Masjid Salmaan al Faarisi
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
15
|
Masjid of Abu Bakr
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
16
|
Masjid of ‘Umar
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
17
|
Masjid of ‘Ali
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
18
|
Masjid of Faatimah/Masjid Sa’d bin Mu’aadh
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
19
|
Masjid al Khandaq
|
O
|
Battle of Khandaq
|
||
20
|
Masjid at the foot of Uhud.
|
O
|
Battle of Uhud
|
NB. Numbers 13-19 above are also called the ‘7 Mosques’.
Famous Masaajid/Landmarks in Madeenah[1]
1.
Masjid Qubaa مسجد قباء
It was the first masjid built by
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he migrated to Madeenah.
Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله
عنه said that “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
used to come to Qubaa Masjid every Saturday either walking or riding.” (Saheeh
Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Sahl bin Hunaif رضي الله عنه
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said “Whoever goes out until he comes to this Masjid, meaning Masjid Qubaa, and
he prays there, it would be equivalent to performing ‘Umrah (in reward).” (al
Hakim).
2. Masjid an Nabawee
Abu Dardaa رضي الله عنه
said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Prayer in Masjid al Haraam (Makkah) is
equivalent to 100,000 prayers and prayer
in my Masjid (Madeenah) is equivalent to 1000 prayers and prayer in Baytul
Maqdis (Jerusalem) is equivalent to 500 prayers.” (Tabarani, Bazzar)
3. Masjid al Meeqaat, Dhul Hulayfah
This place is where pilgrims start their
ihraam for ‘Umrah. It is 12km away from Masjid Nabawee. The masjid was built
during the time 87-93 AH under the rule of ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Azeez. It is
situated west of Al Aqeeq Valley which is a blessed place. There is a hadeeth
which says “Today a visitor from my Lord came to me and said ‘pray in this
blessed valley.’” So praying 2 rak’ah is recommended here – not linked to the
‘Umrah or Ihraam but due to its being a blessed valley.
4.
Masjid al Jumu’ah
The place where the first
Jumu’ah prayer was held. Umar bin ‘Abdul Azeez built the masjid during 87-93
AH.
5. Masjid al Ijaabah
It was built during the time of
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the district of Bani Mu’aawiyah of the
Aws tribe. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed by and prayed there making du’aa
for three things of which two were answered but not the third. He asked that
his nation would not be destroyed by famine or drowning and that was granted.
He asked that they would not be destroyed by bloodshed but that was not
granted.
6. Masjid as Sajdah/Masjid Abi Dharr/Masjid ash Shukr
The Prophet صلى الله
عليه وسلم made sujood of gratefulness here when Angel Jibreel told him
that whoever sends salaam upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
Allaah will send blessings upon him.
7. Masjid al Qiblatayn
Some of the Companions were
praying in this spot when the aayah changing the Qiblah from Jerusalem to
Makkah was revealed so they turned whilst in prayer to the new Qiblah.
Qiblatayn means ‘two qiblahs’ in Arabic.
8. Masjid ar Raayah/Masjid Dhubaab
It is on a small hill called
dhubaab north of Sala’ Mountain. This is the place where a tent and flag was
set up for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم during the Battle of the Trench (al
Khandaq/al Ahzaab).
9. Masjid al Ghamaamah/Masjid al Musalla
Ghamaamah means ‘clouds’ in
Arabic. The masjid is near the North
West wall of the Prophet’s Masjid. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
prayed ‘Eid prayers here. The clouds shaded him while he delivered the Khutbah.
The Ottoman Sultan ‘Abdul Majeed rebuilt the masjid in 1275 AH (1859 CE) with
black basalt stones.
10. Masjid of Abu Bakr
1km from the South-West of
Masjid Nabawee. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed ‘Eid prayers here. Then Abu Bakr in
his Khilaafah prayed there. Umar bin ‘Abdul Azeez built the masjid during 86-91
AH. It was later renovated by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmood II in 1254 AH (1838
CE) with black basalt stones.
11. Masjid of ‘Umar bin al Khattaab
200m south of Abu Bakr’s Masjid. The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed ‘Eid prayers here. Then ‘Umar in
his Khilaafah prayed there. Shamsuddeen ibn Ahmad as Silawwi built the masjid
in 850 AH (1446 CE). It was later renovated by the Ottoman Sultan Mahmood II in
1266 AH (1850 CE) with black basalt stones.
12.
Masjid of ‘Ali bin Abi
Taalib
300m North-West of Ghamaamah
Masjid. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed ‘Eid prayers here. Then ‘Ali in his
Khilaafah prayed there. Umar bin ‘Abdul Azeez built the masjid during 86-91 AH.
13. Masjid al Fath
Old history books call the
Masaajid al Fath (Conquest) but today they call them ‘The Seven Masaajid’.
Masjid al Fath is on the location where the tent was set up for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم during the Battle of the Trench. The
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made du’aa for three days here to defeat
the Confederates’ Army (Al Ahzaab). Allaah answered his du’aa.
14. Masjid Salmaan al Faarisi
Salmaan رضي الله
عنه was the Companion who advised the Prophet صلى الله
عليه وسلم to dig the Trench.
15. Masjid of Abu Bakr
This tiny masjid was built on
the site where Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was stationed in the Battle of the Trench.
16. Masjid of ‘Umar
This tiny masjid was built on
the site where ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was stationed in the Battle of the Trench.
17. Masjid of ‘Ali
This tiny masjid was built on
the site where ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was stationed in the Battle of the Trench.
18. Masjid of Faatimah/Masjid Sa’d bin Mu’aadh
19.
Masjid al Khandaq
This masjid was
only built recently in 1428 AH (2007 CE) near these 6 masaajid.
20. Masjid at the foot of Uhud
Grave of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away in the
house of Aa’isha رضي الله عنها and he was buried in her house and not in
the cemetery as a protection for him.
It is permissible to stand near the grave and make du’aa for him.
However, it is innovation to perform worship near the grave seeking more
blessings there. It becomes kufr if worship is directed to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instead of Allaah.
Cemetery of Baqee’
It is said 10,000 Companions are buried in Baqee’ رضي الله
عنهم including the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم
daughters, wives and son Ibraaheem. As mentioned above, it is permissible to
make du’aa for the dead there but not to perform innovations or kufr.
Saqifah Bani Sa’idah
Bani Sa’idah were from the Khazraj tribe. This place is where the
Companions gathered after the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
and gave allegiance to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه as Khalifah. A garden
marks its location today.
Al Jurf
This area is 7km from Masjid Nabawee and is mentioned in many
ahaadeeth:
1.
Usaamah bin Zayd camped
with his army in al Jurf when directed by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
to go and fight the Romans in the Levant.
2.
The Dajjaal will pitch his
tent in the waste land of al Jurf when he will be prevented by the angels from
entering Madeenah.
Uhud
“Uhud is a mountain that we love and it loves us.”
Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم once climbed Mount Uhud with Abu Bakr,
‘Umar and ‘Uthmaan رضي الله عنهم and the mountain shook. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to the mountain, “Be firm, O Uhud!
For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddeeq and two martyrs.”
(Bukhaari).
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَاعِدَ
لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“And (remember) when you (Muhammad) left your
household in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle
(of Uhud). And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” [Aali ‘Imraan 3:121]
[1] Translator’s
Note: Only the masaajid and places that have been
mentioned in the Qur’aan or the Sunnah hold a reward for a specific act of
worship. If they are not mentioned then there is no specific act of worship
attached and people should not visit a place intending to gain rewards. For
example if a person were to go to the masjid built near Uhud and specify 2
rak’ahs there then there is no reward in doing so (and could also fall under
the category of ‘bid’ah’ innovation if the person believes there is a religious
duty attached in doing so). There is nothing in the Qur’aan or Sunnah
specifying to do this. However, if a person was visiting it and prayer time
came in and he prayed there then there is no harm. Allaahu ‘Alam.
