Madinah — The Prophet's City: History, Sanctity, and Sacred Sites

Pre-Islamic Yathrib

Before the Hijra, the city known as Yathrib was populated by:

• Two Arab tribes: Aws and Khazraj (who had long been in conflict with each other)
• Three Jewish tribes: Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayza

The city was an agricultural settlement — dates and wheat were its primary products — with a mixed religious population and a tradition of trade. The Arab tribes had been in a state of chronic warfare; the arrival of the Prophet and his Constitution of Medina (see [[ummah]]) transformed this conflict-ridden community into the first cohesive Muslim state.

The Hijra and the City’s Transformation

When the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Yathrib in 622 CE (Year 1 AH), he was welcomed with a famous nasheed — “Tala’a al-badru ‘alayna” (The full moon has risen upon us) — sung by the women of Madinah as he entered the city. His first acts upon arrival:

1. Built Masjid Quba’ (the first mosque in Islamic history) at the spot where he stopped on the outskirts
2. Formalized the brotherhood (muwakhat) between each Muhajir and an Ansari — each emigrant was paired with a Medinan who shared half of his wealth and home
3. Established the Constitution of Medina — the first pluralistic political covenant of the Islamic state

The Prophet renamed the city: Yathrib (a name he disliked, as it could mean “blame/rebuke”) became al-Madinah — The City. See [[seerah-hijra]] and [[seerah-medina]].

The Masjid al-Nabawi — The Prophet’s Mosque

The Masjid al-Nabawi (المسجد النبوي — the Prophetic Mosque) is the second holiest mosque in Islam and the site of the Prophet’s burial. The Prophet (SAW): “A prayer in my mosque is worth a thousand prayers elsewhere — except in al-Masjid al-Haram.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Key features:

• The Rawdah: The space between the Prophet’s pulpit (minbar) and his house-turned-tomb. The Prophet said: “Between my house and my minbar is a garden from the gardens of paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim) — Hence the name Rawdah (garden). Praying in this space is considered one of the greatest spiritual opportunities in the world.
• The Prophet’s Tomb: The Prophet (SAW) was buried in his own room — the room of ‘Aisha (RA) — adjacent to the mosque. ‘Umar and Abu Bakr are buried alongside him. The green dome visible above the Prophet’s tomb is one of the most recognizable symbols of Islam worldwide.

The Baqi’ Cemetery

Jannat al-Baqi’ (the Garden of Baqi’) is the main cemetery of Madinah — where many of the Prophet’s family members, wives, and companions are buried. The Prophet (SAW) visited Baqi’ regularly to make du’a for the deceased. See [[ziyara]].

Uhud and the Shuhada

The mountain of Uhud, just north of Madinah, was the site of the Battle of Uhud (3 AH / 625 CE). Seventy companions were martyred, including Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (the Prophet’s uncle) — Sayyid al-Shuhada (the master of the martyrs). The Prophet (SAW) visited the grave of the martyrs of Uhud regularly throughout his life.

The Sanctity of Madinah

The Prophet established Madinah as a haram (sanctuary): “Madinah is a haram sanctuary — between its two lava fields.” (Bukhari) — Hunting and the cutting of trees within its boundaries are prohibited, as in Mecca.

See also: Seerah Medina, Seerah Hijra, Masjid Culture, Masjid Al Haram, Prophet Muhammad, Barzakh, Ziyara