Madeenah is to the North of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
Madeenah is not part of Hajj or 'Umrah at all. However, it was the place that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم migrated to and established the first masjid in. The first masjid was called Masjid Qubaa. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم proceeded to build what is called Masjid an Nabawee.
I have gathered a few resources to help you understand the history and religious significance of Madeenah. I will upload and add to this page over time إن شاء الله.
Look at Madeenah and the surrounding area on google maps: Click here
Listen to the story of the Battle of Uhud by Abu Iyyaad Amjad Rafiq Click here
Quizzes on Madeenah
I have designed two quizzes using the book below:
Basic Quiz on Madeenah Click here
Basic Quiz on Madeenah ANSWERS Click here
Advanced Quiz on Madeenah Click here
Advanced Quiz on Madeenah ANSWERS Click here
I will type up my notes made on the book soon too إن شاء الله
* Updated! Here are my notes: A Brief Historical Guide to Madeenah Click here
* New! A video and PowerPoint based upon the above notes. (They can be used in a classroom setting).
Download the Video in safeshare Click here
Download the PowerPoint Click here
Facts and Figures about Masjid an Nabawee (Madeenah) and Masjid al Haraam (Makkah) Click here
See Makkah and Madeenah live Click here
Moosa Richardson explains a point from Kitaabut Tawheed regarding the Prophet's Masjid and that it is not like the Sufis' claim - Click here to listen.
Abu Khadeejah explains the point about the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم grave very briefly. Listen to an explanation of how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was not buried in the masjid by Abu Khadeejah click here.
Shaykh Fawzan's advice to certain Museums who revive models and relics of the Seerah. Click here
Shaykh bin Baz's description of Visiting Madeenah and the Grave (in Arabic) Click here
Kids' Field Trip to Madeenah Click here
The Ruling of Praying in the Rawdah - Shaykh Sulaymaan ar Ruhaylee Click here
Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al 'Uthaymeen's explanation of the description 'Al Munawwarah' for Madeenah. (in Arabic) Click here
Three more beautiful books about Madeenah:
السلام عليك يا رسول الله ورحمة الله وبركاته صلى الله وسلم عليك وعلى آلك وأصحابك، ويدعو له، جزاك الله عن الأمة خيراً، أشهد أنك بلغت الرسالة، وأديت الأمانة، ونصحت الأمة، وجاهدت في الله حق جهاده
Madeenah is not part of Hajj or 'Umrah at all. However, it was the place that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم migrated to and established the first masjid in. The first masjid was called Masjid Qubaa. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم proceeded to build what is called Masjid an Nabawee.
I have gathered a few resources to help you understand the history and religious significance of Madeenah. I will upload and add to this page over time إن شاء الله.
Look at Madeenah and the surrounding area on google maps: Click here
Listen to the story of the Battle of Uhud by Abu Iyyaad Amjad Rafiq Click here
Quizzes on Madeenah
I have designed two quizzes using the book below:
Basic Quiz on Madeenah Click here
Basic Quiz on Madeenah ANSWERS Click here
Advanced Quiz on Madeenah Click here
Advanced Quiz on Madeenah ANSWERS Click here
I will type up my notes made on the book soon too إن شاء الله
* Updated! Here are my notes: A Brief Historical Guide to Madeenah Click here
* New! A video and PowerPoint based upon the above notes. (They can be used in a classroom setting).
Download the Video in safeshare Click here
Download the PowerPoint Click here
Facts and Figures about Masjid an Nabawee (Madeenah) and Masjid al Haraam (Makkah) Click here
See Makkah and Madeenah live Click here
Moosa Richardson explains a point from Kitaabut Tawheed regarding the Prophet's Masjid and that it is not like the Sufis' claim - Click here to listen.
Abu Khadeejah explains the point about the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم grave very briefly. Listen to an explanation of how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was not buried in the masjid by Abu Khadeejah click here.
Shaykh Fawzan's advice to certain Museums who revive models and relics of the Seerah. Click here
Shaykh bin Baz's description of Visiting Madeenah and the Grave (in Arabic) Click here
Kids' Field Trip to Madeenah Click here
The Ruling of Praying in the Rawdah - Shaykh Sulaymaan ar Ruhaylee Click here
Shaykh Ali al Haddaadee's Article on Madeenah (in Arabic) Click here
What is the ruling on calling al Madeenah ‘al Munawwarah’
(The Enlightened City)?
The use of the name ‘Madeenah al Munawwarah’ is widespread
amongst the people but it is only recently. All the previous books used to
refer to it as ‘al Madeenah’ only or they would say ‘al Madeenah an Nabawiyyah.’
In reality al Madeenah al Munawwarah is not specific to the
Madeenah of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as every town that accepted Islaam is ‘enlightened’
by Islaam. Therefore the Prophetic Madeenah would not have a distinction over
others. That being said we do not say it is forbidden to call it that and it is
alright when the people call it Munawwarah; however it is best to call it ‘al
Madeenah an Nabawiyyah.’
لسؤال:
ما حكم تسمية
المدينة المنورة بهذا الاسم؟
الجواب:
اشتهر عند
الناس لقب المدينة المنورة، ولكن هذا حدث أخيراً، فكل كتب السابقين يقولون:
المدينة فقط، أو يقولون: المدينة النبوية، والمدينة المنورة في الواقع ليس خاصاً
بمدينة الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم؛ لأن كل مدينة دخلها الإسلام فهي منورةٌ
بالإسلام، وحينئذٍ لا يكون للمدينة النبوية ميزةٌ إذا قلنا: المدينة المنورة، لكن
مع هذا لا نقول: إنه حرام، بل نقول: هذا لقب جرى
الناس عليه فلا بأس به، لكن الأفضل أن نقول: المدينة النبوية.
http://binothaimeen.net/content/1500
What is the Ruling on visiting the
places of the Prophetic Seerah such as Cave Hiraa, Jabal Uhud and Masjid
Qiblatayn?
Visiting them to seek blessings from
them or visiting them believing them to be from the religion is innovation and
not permissible. As for just visiting them to see them then this is ok. As for
visiting them to seek blessings from them or believing that it is from the
religion to do so seeking reward, then this is bid’ah innovation and not
allowed.
Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan. Tafseer Imaam
Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab Lesson 18. 1434 AH. Summer Duroos of the Senior
Scholars.
ما حكم زيارة أماكن السيرة النبوية كـــ (غار حراء وجبل أُحد ومسجد
القبلتين) ؟
جواب الشيخ صالح الفوزان حفظه الله تعالى
زيارتها للتبرك بها أو أنه يعتقد أنها مشروعة ؛ هذا بدعة ولا يجوز .
أما يزورها للطلاع فقط فلا باس ، إذا كان يزورها للإطلاع فقط فلا بأس.
وأما إذا كان يزورها للتبرك بها أو لإعتقاد أن زيارتها مشروعة وفيها أجر ؛
فهذا بدعة ولا يجوز.
نعم
المصدر:
تفسير الإمام محمد بن عبدالوهاب [الدرس الثامن عشر] - 1434هـ _
الدروس الصيفية لكبار العلماء
Three more beautiful books about Madeenah:
Du’aa to say at the Prophet’s صلى الله
عليه وسلم Grave
This du’aa is what Shaykh Bin Baz and
Shaykh Fawzaan have mentioned: السلام عليك يا رسول الله ورحمة الله وبركاته صلى الله وسلم عليك وعلى آلك وأصحابك، ويدعو له، جزاك الله عن الأمة خيراً، أشهد أنك بلغت الرسالة، وأديت الأمانة، ونصحت الأمة، وجاهدت في الله حق جهاده
Peace be
upon you O Messenger of Allaah and His Mercy and His Blessings. Allaah send His
Blessings upon you, your family and Companion. (make du’aa for him). Allaah
reward you with good on behalf of the Ummah. I bear witness that you conveyed
the message and fulfilled the trust, you advised the Ummah and you strove in
Allaah’s sake to the utmost.
Etiquettes Regarding Graves in Islaam
Abu Marthad al Ghanawee رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not face the graves in prayer, nor
sit on them.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Abu Sa’eed al Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that Allaah’s
Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“All of the earth is a place of prayer except the graveyard or the bathroom.”
Ibn ‘Abbaas رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Allaah’s curse is upon the Jews and
Christians - they turned their Prophets’ graves into places of prayer.” (Saheeh
Bukhari)
‘Aa’ishah رضي الله عنها said, “If it were
not for that reason, his grave would have been made visible to the people – but
it was feared that they would make it a place of prayer.” (Saheeh Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “O Allaah! Do not make my grave an
object of worship. Allaah curses the people who have turned their prophets’
graves into prayer places.” (Ahmaad)
A’aisha رضي الله عنها reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Those people, when a righteous man
among them died, they used to build over his grave a place of prayer and draw
those images. Those are the worst people before Allaah on the Day of
Resurrection.” (Saheeh Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not turn my grave into a place of
seasonal celebration and visitation, and do not turn your houses into graves.
Wherever you are, pray upon me, because your prayer will reach me.” (Sunan Abu
Daawood)
Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said that Imaam Malik hated for a person
to say salaam at the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم grave every time he
enters the masjid. It should only be done when a person comes from a journey.
It is forbidden to travel with the sole purpose of visiting a grave, even
the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم grave.
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله
عنه reported that Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The camels may not be saddled (for travel)
except to three Masaajid: The Sacred Masjid (in Makkah), the Prophet’s Masjid
(in Madeenah) and Masjid al Aqsa (In Jerusalem).” (Saheeh Bukhaari)
It is not allowed to walk among the graves with shoes. “O man with
shoes! Woe to you! Remove your shoes!” (Abu Daawood)
The grave should not raise higher than a handspan (about 25cm) and
nothing should be built upon it nor should anything be written on it. A simple
stone or marker is all that is allowed to recognise the grave.
Jaabir رضي الله عنه said, “Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله
عليه وسلم prohibited plastering a grave, sitting on it, building over it,
adding to its height or writing on it.” (Saheeh Muslim)
‘Alee bin Abee Taalib رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not leave a graven image in a house
but deface it, and do not leave a high grave but level it.” (Saheeh Muslim).
Imaam Shawkaani رحمه الله said, “One form of raising the graves to which
this hadeeth applies to most is building domes and structures over them. That
also falls under making the graves places of worship and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has cursed whoever does that. Building,
raising and adorning the graves has resulted in evils that make Islaam weep. Among
those is the ignorant people’s belief in those graves resembles the pagan’s
belief in their idols – to the extent that they believe that they have the
ability to bring benefit and protect from harm…” (Nayl al Awtaar 4/72).
Innovations People Commit when Visiting Madeenah
Taken from ‘The Rites of Hajj and Umrah’
Shaykh Naasir-ud-deen Al-Albaanee. 1998. IIPH. (pp38-55)
Innovations Related to Visiting Madinah
This is included as undertaking a journey to
the Prophet’s Mosque and Masjid ul-Aqsaa – may Allaah return it to the Muslims
soon – is from the sunnah and because of the benefits and rewards for this, and
people usually visit them before or after making Hajj – and many of them fall
into numerous innovations well-known to the scholars, while doing that – so I
saw it to be beneficial to include what I have come across from these as a
notification and warning and they are:
1.
Journeying
to visit the Prophet’s grave صلى الله عليه وسلم.
2.
Sending
requests with the pilgrims and those visiting the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and asking them to
convey their salaams to him.
3.
Bathing in
order to enter Madinah.
4.
Saying
upon seeing the walls of al Madinah: “O Allaah this is the sacred area of Your
Messenger, so make it a protection against the fire for me and a protection
from punishment and any misfortunate accounting.”
5.
Saying
upon entering al Madinah: “In the name of Allaah and upon the religion of…”
6.
The
retention of the Prophet’s grave within his mosque.
7.
Visiting
the grave of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) before praying in his mosque.
8.
Some
peoples facing the grave with total humility placing his right hand upon the
left as if in prayer – near to the grave or far from it – when entering or
leaving the mosque.
9.
Making
du’aa facing the grave.
10. Going to the grave to make du’aa towards it
hoping for an answer.
11. Seeking nearness to Allaah (tawassul) by means
of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ).
12. Seeking intercession from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ).
13. Ibn al Haajj’s (false) saying in al Madkhal
(1/259) that: “One should not mention with his tongue his needs or need
forgiveness of sins when visiting the grave of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم )” because he knows his
needs already and what is of benefit to him!!
14. His saying also (1/264): “There is no
difference between his (صلى الله عليه وسلم) death and his life as regards his watching over his Ummah and
their affairs and intentions, and their regrets and their thoughts!!”
15. Their placing their hands upon the grills
around the room containing the Prophet’s (صلى
الله عليه وسلم) grave to seek blessings.
And some of them taking oath upon that.
16. Kissing the tomb or touching it or what
surrounds it – pillars and so on.
17. Adopting a particular way for visiting the
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) and his two companions – and a particular way of giving
salaam and making du’aa, like the saying of al Ghazzaali: “He should stand next
to the face of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) with his back to the Qiblah, and face the wall of the tomb…and
say…” mentioning a long salaam, then a long salaat and du’aa – reaching upto
three pages.
18. Seeking to pray facing the tomb.
19. Sitting near to the grave in order to recite
and make dhikr.
20. Going to the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) grave after every
prayer.
21. Visiting the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) grave by the people of
Madinah every time they enter or leave the mosque.
22. Raising up the voice after prayer saying:
“Peace be upon you O Messenger of Allaah.”
23. Seeking blessings from the rainwater which
falls down from the Green Dome above the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) tomb.
24. Seeing nearness to Allaah by eating dates of
Saihaan in the ‘Rawdah’ which is between the pulpit and the grave.
25. Cutting off bits of their hair and throwing them
into the large chandelier near the Prophet’s (صلى
الله عليه وسلم ) tomb.
26. Wiping the two brass palm trees that were place
in the mosque to the west of the pulpit.
27. Making a point of praying in the original part
of the mosque and avoiding praying in the front rows which are in the extension
made by ‘Umar and others.
28. Making a point by visitors to Madinah to stay
for a whole week in order to pray forty prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque – so as
to have written for them a security from hypocrisy and from the Fire.
29. Seeking reward by going to any of the mosques
or places in and around Madinah except for the Prophet’s Mosque and Qubaa
Mosque.
30. Guides instructing groups of pilgrims and
leading them in certain du’aas near the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) room or far from it –
with raised voices – and the people’s repeating in even louder voices.
31. Visiting the graveyard of Baqee’ every day and
prayer in the Mosque of Faatimah – may Allaah be pleased with her.
32. Particularising Yaum ul-Khamees (known to the
Christians as Thursday) for visiting the martyrs of Uhud.
33. Affixing pieces of paper to the iron railing on
the ground of the martyrs.
34. Seeking blessings by bathing in the pool that
used to be by the side of the graves.
35. Walking backwards out of the Prophet’s Mosque
when leaving for the last time.
The Dome over the Grave of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
Extract from ‘An
Explanation of the Creed of Muhammad bin ‘Abdil Wahhaab’ p150
By the Noble Shaykh Dr.
Saalih bin Fawzaan al Fawzaan
Translated by Umm ‘Abdir
Rahmaan Tara Hashim
The author’s saying,
‘If I were able to destroy the dome of the Messenger of Allaah (r)
I would do it.’ This is a big
lie against the Shaykh because it is known that the Messenger (r)
was buried in his house as a protection for him from people going to extremes.
His house consisted of walls and a roof and the roof existed at the time he (r)
was buried. All that happened, was that the roof was removed and it was made
into the shape of a dome. The Shaykh did not hold that this was something evil.
The Messenger (r) was buried in his
house and he continues to be buried there protected from people going to
extremes. As ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said when she
mentioned the Messenger’s (r) prohibition of going
to extremes at graves, ‘If it were not for that, his grave would have been made prominent, but
I am afraid that it would be taken as a place of prayer.’[1]
So he was buried in his house as a protection against people going to extremes.
People accused the Shaykh and compared the dome of the Messenger (r)
to those on the graves which have been built upon in order to exalt them. This
is wrong. Domes built upon graves are against the legislation. Meaning that the
dead person is buried and a structure with a dome is built over his grave or it
is made into a masjid.
This is what the Messenger (r)
prohibited because this is a means to shirk.
The best generation of this Nation, the Companions, were buried in Baqee Cemetary with nothing on their graves whilst the Messenger
(r)
was kept separate and buried in his house as a protection against people going
to extremes. There is a difference between what is built over him out of going
to extremes regarding him and being buried in his house as a protection for him
against people going to extremes.
Building over the graves to exalt them is prohibited and is one of the
means to shirk and it is something that the masses have
attached themselves to. However, the Messenger’s (r)
grave was not built upon, he was buried in his (r)
house and we know the reason for it: to protect him. What do you think would
happen if the Messenger (r) was buried in Baqee
cemetery? There would be crowding, people going to extremes and what would the
ignorant people do? Allaah answered the supplication of His Prophet (r)
when he (r)
said, ‘Oh Allaah, do not make my grave an
idol to be worshipped.’[2]
Ibn al Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said:
The Lord of the Worlds answered his
supplication and surrounded him with three walls until the whole area was
filled with honour, protection and security because of his supplication.[3]
This is the
difference between the grave of the Messenger (r)
and other graves which have been built upon. We should not be
in doubt about the two and say that the Messenger’s (r)
grave had a structure over it and on top of it is a dome, means that we can
also build over other graves and place domes on top as the people of
superstitions claim.
[1] Collected by al Bukhaaree (1330) and Muslim (529) from
the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her).
[2] Collected by Imaam Maalik in al Muwatta (414) in mursal form, from the hadeeth of ‘Ataa’ bin Yasaar (t). Ibn abdul Bar collected it with a Muttasil chain from the hadeeth of Aboo
Sa’eed al Khudree (t) in ‘at Tamheed’ (5/43). See ‘al
Istidthkaar’ by him (2/359). Imaam Ahmad collected
something similar to it in ‘al Musnad’
(2/246 no. 7358). Al Humaydee in his ‘Musnad’
(2/445 no. 1025) and ibn Sa’d in ‘at Tabaqaat al Kubraa’ (2/241) from the
hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah (t) where the words ‘to be worshipped’ were not found.
