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The Houses of the Companions (Radhiyallaahu 'anhum) Around Masjid Nabawi  (Map in Post Number 48)


 


Houses on the North Side



 


1. Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU) and his house:


He belonged to Banu Zuhra branch of Quraish tribe. He was born ten years after the event of the owners of elephants. His name, during the period of ignorance, was Abdul Kabah. The Prophet (SAS) changed it to Abdur Rehman. He embraced Islam through the preaching of Abu Bakr (RU). He first migrated to Habsha and later to Madina. He took part in all the battles with the Prophet (SAS). He is one of those ten companions who were given glad tiding of Paradise by the Prophet (SAS). He was nominated by Caliph Omar for the advisory council of six persons to choose the next caliph. He was very rich and loved to give away his wealth in charity. He died during 32 Hijrah. He left behind thousands of cattle and a very rich inheritance. For example, after distributing of gold to all his legal heir, each of his four wives received eighty thousand dinars.


 


1(a) It appears from various narrations that Abdur Rehman bin Auf  (RU) had several houses around the Prophet’s Mosque. One of his houses was opposite to the ninth door of the Mosque and it was known as or a guest house since he use to accommodate the guests of the Prophet (SAS) in this house. It was also called a big house since it was the largest house among the emigrants.


 


According to Samhoudi (who died in 911 Hijrah), there was a building on this site known as guest house.


 


As mentioned in Vafa-ul-Vafa, there was a huge garden of Abu Talha (RU) just north of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (SAS) granted some pieces of land of this garden to many of his companions. Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU) received a piece of this garden and he built this famous guesthouse on it.


 


1(b) Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU) had three other houses just north of the Mosque. These houses were joined with each other and hence they were called Karain. When Omar bin AbdulAziz (RTA) was governor of Madina, he removed these three houses in order to extend the Prophet’s Mosque.


 


2. Mulaika bint Khareja (RUA) and her house:


She was daughter of Khareja bin Sanan and wife of Zabban bin Sayyar. On the death of her husband, her son, Manzoor bin Zabban married her in accordance with the social practice of the time of ignorance. Islam totally stopped these dirty practices and released Mulaika and other three women from such similar relationship. In this way Islam safeguarded the chastity and honor of these women.


 


Mulaika came to Madina during the period of caliph Abu Bakr (RU). He asked the companion of the Prophet (SAS), “Who would like to provide shelter to this widow?” Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU) was very rich and he owned many houses. He rose and took Mulaika to one of his houses for her exclusive use. This house came to be known as Mulaika’s house. So much so that the door of the Mosque opposite to this house was also called Bab Mulaika.


 


When caliph Mehdi extended the Prophet’s Mosque, part of this house was included in this extension.


 


3. Abu Talha Ansari (RU) and his garden:


His name was Zaid bin Sahl bin Aswad but he was known as Abu Talha (RU). He belonged to Banu Najjar branch of Khazraj tribe. He was famous for his bravery and marksmanship. Abu Talha (RU) was one of those twelve persons who promised to safeguard the life of the Prophet (SAS). This commitment was made during Uqba pledge and Abu Talha (RU) fulfilled this commitment in a unique way during the Battle of Uhad. He was shooting arrows at the enemy while keeping his body in front of the Prophet (SAS) to safeguard the Prophet (SAS) during the Battle of Uhad. Whenever the Prophet (SAS) leaned to one side to see where the arrow of Abu Talha (RU) fell, Abu Talha (RU) also leaned towards that direction to shield the Prophet (SAS) with his body. He wished that the Prophet (SAS) was not hurt in anyway.


The Prophet (SAS) said, “Abu Talha’s voice is equivalent to the voice of a troop,” Abu Talha (RU) had the privilege and honor to sit behind the Prophet (SAS) on his camel during the battle of Khaiber. Abu Talha (RU) died during 34 Hijrah when he was seventy years old. Caliph Osman (RU) led his Salat-ul-Janaza. He was buried in Madina.


 


Abu Talha (RU) owned a very huge garden that was situated just north of the Prophet’s Mosque. There was a well in this garden. The Prophet (SAS) drank water from this well. This well existed till second Saudi extension of the Mosque. The site of this well lies inside the Mosque at present. If you enter the Mosque from Bab Fahd, you will see a few circles marked on the floor to mark the location of this well. It is, however, not correct to touch or kiss this place as some ignorant people try to do.


 


It is mentioned in Bukhari and is narrated by Anas (RU) about the remarkable submission of Abu Talha (RU) to Allah (SWT). Anas (RU) said, “Abu Talha (RU) owned maximum number of palm trees in Madina. One of his gardens was Bir Ha and it was adjacent to the Prophet’s Mosque. He loved this garden the most.


The Prophet (SAS) used to visit this garden and loved to drink sweet water of well there. When the following verse was revealed (Al-Imran # 92 ).


 


By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well.


 


You can achieve the utmost piety until you spend in the path Allah (SWT) what you love the most. Abu Talha (RU) rose and said to the Prophet (SAS), “O Prophet of Allah, I love my garden Bir Ha the most. I donate it in the path of Allah (SWT) hoping to be rewarded for it on the Day of Judgment. Please make use of it in the way you consider it appropriate. The Prophet (SAS) was filled with joy and he said,


Fantastic, it is a wonderful commodity, it is a wonderful commodity.


 


The Prophet (SAS) added, “I heard what you said. It will be better if you distribute it among your relatives.” Abu Talha (RU) distributed it among his relatives as instructed by the Prophet (SAS).


 


4. (a) Makhrama bin Nofal (RU) and his house:


He belonged to Banu Zahra branch of Quraish tribe. He accepted Islam on the day of conquest of Makkah. Gradually he became very firm in his faith. He took part in the battle of Hunain with the Prophet (SAS). He was a very outstanding scholar of the history of Arabs and especially of Quraish tribe. He died in 54 Hijrah when he was 115 years old. He lost his eyesight during the last part of his life. His house can be seen in the map.


 


(b) Miswar bin Makhrama (RU):


He was son of Mukhrama bin Nufil and lived in the above house with his father. His mother was Atika bint Auf (RUA), the sister of Abdur Rehman Bin Auf (RU). He was born during 2 Hijrah. He was a prominent scholar of Islamic jurisprudence. After the martyrdom of caliph Osman (RU), he moved to Makkah. He took a pledge with Abdullah bin Zubair (RU). A stone struck him while he was offering his Salat. In this way he became a martyr in Hateem of Kabah during 64 Hijrah. He was 62 years old. Abdullah bin Zubair (RU) led his Salat-ul-Janaza.


Caliph Mehdi purchased part of his house to include it in the Mosque. He also built a minaret of the Prophet’s Mosque at this site on the northeastern corner of the Mosque. Rest of this house was purchased by the family of Mutrif. Later on Jafar bin Yahya (RU) bought it from Mutrif family. It became part of the development that was known as the houses of the donated land.


 


5. Abdullah bin Masood (RU) and his house:


He belonged to Hazeel tribe. He was a very prominent companion of the Prophet (SAS). He was outstanding scholar and had memorized Quran by heart. The Prophet (SAS) loved to listen his recitation of Quran and he encouraged his companions to recite Quran like Abdullah bin Masood (RU). He served the Prophet (SAS) in the every possible way he could. For example to wake the Prophet (SAS) for Tuhajjad, help him put on his shoes, hold a sheet to provide privacy during the Prophet’s (SAS) bath, fetch his toothbrush and to act as a guide on a street were some of the duties he used to perform. He was allowed to visit the Prophet (SAS) even during his private hours.


When the following verse was revealed (Al-Maidah # 93)


 


Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they fear Allah, and believe and do righteous good deeds, and again fear Allah and believe, and once again fear Allah and do good deeds with perfection. And Allah loves the good-doers.


 


The Prophet (SAS) said to Abdullah bin Masood (RU), “You are also from these people.”


 


Abdullah bin Masood (RU) was a short stature. Hence Omar (RU) used to say,


A small vessel or container but totally filled up with knowledge.


 


There are 64 Ahadith narrated by him mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim. He died in Madina during 33 Hijrah when he was more than 60 years old. He was buried in Baqee. When Abdullah bin Masood (RU) and his brother Atba bin Masood (RU) migrated to Madina, the Prophet (SAS) granted them land on the north side of the Prophet’s Mosque. Both of them built humble houses on that land. Since Abdullah bin Masood (RU) used to teach Quran, his house came to be known as Dar-ul-Qurra. When Omar bin Abdul Aziz (RTA) extended the Mosque during 91 Hijrah, he annexed the southern part of these two houses with the Mosque. When caliph Mehdi bin Mansur Abbasi extended the Mosque, he included the remaining parts of these houses in the Mosque.


 


6. Atba bin Masood (RU) and his house:


He was brother of Abdullah bin Masood (RU). He first migrated to Habsha. He came to Madina after the Battle of Badr and hence could not take part in it. He, however, took part in all the other battles.


 


Ibn Shehab Zuhri said, “We did not consider Abdullah bin Masood (RU) bigger scholar than his brother Atba (RU). Atba (RU) however died very soon during the period of caliph Omar (RU).”


 


Abdullah bin Atba (RU) said, “When my father died, my uncle Abdullah bin Masood (RU) could not help crying. Someone asked him, ‘Why are you crying?’ My uncle said, ‘Atba was my brother. We were together in the company of the Prophet (SAS). I loved him the most among all the people.’”


 


As mentioned above, his house was beside of Dar-ul-Qurra and Omar bin Abdul Aziz (RTA) included it in the Mosque during the extension.


 


7. Umm Habiba (RUA) and her house:


She had a house given to her by the Prophet (SAS) that is described in chapter three. She also had a house on the north side of the Mosque that she got through inheritance. This house was not touched during the extensions of Omar (RU) and Omar bin AbdulAziz (RU) since it was situated relatively far away from the Mosque. During Mehdi’s extension part of this house was included in the Mosque. The remaining part of this house was purchased by Yahya bin Khaled. It is said that this is used to be part of Abu Talha’s (RU) Bir Ha.


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The Houses of the Companions (Radhiyallaahu 'anhum) Around Masjid Nabawi  (Map in Post Number 48)

 

Houses on the West Side

 

 

1.Abdullah bin Jaafar (RU) and his house:

Near the northwestern corner of the Mosque three houses were in a row and had their doors opened in a street called “Qayasheen Street.” This street ran just south of these houses. There was another street that ran just north of these three homes and it was called “Al Yahya Street”. Abdullah bin Jaafar’s (RU) house was the closest to the northwestern wall of the Mosque among these three houses.

 

Abdullah bin Jaafar (RU) was son of Jaafar Tayyar (RU) the uncle of the Prophet (SAS). When Jaafar Tayyar (RU) migrated to Habsha, Abdullah was born there. Abdullah was headman of his tribe. He was very generous and was a prominent scholar. He was a commander of a troop in Ali’s (RU) army during the Battle of Safain. His contemporaries composed some poetry to praise his skills and personality. He died during 80 Hijrah in Madina Munawwara.

 

His house was originally owned by Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU). Then Abdullah (RU) owned it. After Abdullah (RU) passed away, it was owned by Muneerah, the freed servant of Umm Musa.

 

Samhoudi (who died in 911 Hijrah) wrote, the house built on this site was used by Sheikh Arif Billah. Later it changed hand and was owned by Qadi Mohi-d-Din. History is silent what happened after that.

 

2. Talha bin Obaidullah (RU) and his house:

He embraced Islam on the preaching of Abu Bakr (RU) at the very dawn of Islam. He was one of those ten companions who were given glad tidings of paradise by the Prophet (SAS).  He was also the member of the Shura Council to choose a caliph after Omar (RU). He was extremely generous and hence the Prophet (SAS) used to call him Talha Al Khair or Talha Al Joad or Talha Al Fayyaz i.e. super generous Talha (RU). The Prophet (SAS) made Zubair bin Awwan (RU) his Islamic brother during their stay in Makkah to strengthen their bonds. Similarly, the Prophet (SAS) made Abu Ayub Ansari (RU) his Islamic brother on Talha’s arrival in Madina. He participated in Bait Ridwan. He displayed great bravery during the Battle of Uhad. He stood in front of the Prophet (SAS) during the battle to shield him from arrows coming from the enemy. Abu Talha’s (RU) one hand was totally damaged and his head was also badly hurt during this battle. When enemy troops came very close to the Prophet (SAS), Talha (RU) carried the Prophet (SAS) on his back and climbed on a rock to protect the Prophet (SAS) from the enemies.

 

He took part in the Battle of Jamal on the side of Aisha (RTA). He became a martyr in this battle during 36 Hijrah and was buried in Basrah.

His house was adjacent to Abdullah bin Jaafar’s  (RU) house as seen in the map. His children divided the house into three parts. Yahya bin Talha took the part adjacent to Abdullah bin Jaafar’s (RU) house. Middle part went to Essa bin Talha and third part went to Ibrahim bin Mohammad bin Talha, the grandson of Talha (RU). These three houses were known as “Houses of Qayasheen” and hence this street was also called “Qayasheen Street.” The main door of these houses also opened into this street.

 

As mentioned earlier, another street run just north of these houses and Yahya bin Talha had an additional door of his house opened into this street. This small door was called the small door of the family of Yahya. Consequently this street came to be known as “ Khokhah Al Yahya.”

 

3. Zubair bin Awwam (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Asad branch of Quraish tribe. He was son of the maternal aunt of the Prophet (SAS). He was also one of ten companions who were given glad tidings of paradise by the Prophet (SAS). He was also a member of the six-men advisory council to choose the third Caliph.

 

At the dawn of Islam he was only a child. He embraced Islam during his childhood. Once he heard that disbelievers have arrested the Prophet (SAS). He immediately came out with an naked sword. This was the first occasion when a Muslim drew a sword for the sake of Islam. The above news, however, turned out to be false.

 

The Prophet (SAS) used to call him Hawari or comrade. The Prophet (SAS) said, “Every Prophet has a comrade or helper. My comrade and helper is Zubair bin Awwam (RU).” The Prophet (SAS) was very happy with him during the Battle of Bani Quraiza. Prophet (SAS) said, “My father and mother are pleased with you, indeed.” Zubair bin Awwam took part in Battle of Badr and all other battles as well.

 

He was with the army of Aisha (RUA) during the battle of Jaml but stayed away from the battlefield. He was traveling toward Basra and reached the Sebaa valley. Ibn Jarmoz approached him from his backside and suddenly attacked him. Zubair bin Awwam (RU) died there and then.

 

There are thirty-seven Ahadith mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim narrated by Zubair bin Awwam (RU).

 

As seen in the map, his house was adjacent to Talha bin Obaid Ullah’s (RU) house. As mentioned in the History of Madina, he divided his house into two parts for his two sons. He gave the eastern part to Omar bin Zubair (RU) and western part to Urwa bin Zubair
(RU).

 

Qayasheen Street:

This was about three meters wide street that was in front of fourteenth door of the Prophet’s Mosque. It was known by this name till twentieth century of Hijrah. Later it was called the street of the people of Hanbli School of Thought. This street was closed near the house of Zubair bin Awwam’s (RU) house and a door was installed there. This door opened into the Perfume Market. Probably this door was called Khokhah Al Qawarir.

 

4.Sakina bint Husain (RUA) and her house:

She was daughter of Husain (RU). She had very exquisite manners and was full of wisdom. There were many stories to describe her wit. She died during 117 Hijrah.

 

Her house was in front of fifteenth door of the Prophet’s Mosque. At present it should be considered in front of Old Bab Saud. It became part of the Mosque during the second Saudi extension.

 

5.Tamim Dari (RU) and his house:

His full name was Tamim bin Aus bin Khareja. He belonged to Banu Dar tribe. Hence he was called Dari. He was commonly known as Abu Ruqqaya derived from the name of his only daughter.

 

He was a Christian who embraced Islam during 9 Hijrah. There used to be no arrangement for light in the Prophet’s Mosque. He was the first who made the arrangement of light in Prophet’s Mosque. He chose to live in Madina. He however migrated to Syria after Caliph Osman’s (RU) martyrdom.

 

He offered Tahajjud very regularly. One night he recited the following verse during Tahajjud: Al Jathiya # 21

Do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make.

 

He kept crying whole night while reciting this verse again and again. His house was also near the fifteenth door of the Mosque. There is difference of opinions among the historians regarding the house of Sakina bint Husain (RTA) and Tamim Dari’s (RU) house. Some say that it was the same house. Others hold the opinion that these were two separate houses.

 

This historic house existed till very recently. In 1353 Hijrah Abdul Qaddus Ansari wrote,

 

“At present the upper part of this house is non-existent. The lower part of the house has a stone with the following wording engraved in it.”

This is the house of Tamim Dari (RU). (Year of writing 1208 Hijrah).

 

During the first Saudi extension of the Mosque, this broken house was also removed and the land was included into the Mosque.

 

6.Hassan bin Thabit (RU) and his house:

He belonged to the Khazraj tribe of Ansar. He was known as the Prophet’s (SAS) poet. After embracing Islam he devoted his poetic skills for the defence of Islam and the Prophet’s (SAS) Message. He used to stand on a mimber in the Prophet’s Mosque and presented his poetry to the people very eloquently describing the achievements of the Prophet (SAS). The Prophet (SAS) said,

 

“As long as Hassan keeps defending Allah’s Prophet, Allah (SWT) keeps on helping Hassan by Jibreel (AS).”

 

He lived for sixty years as a disbeliever. He lived another sixty years after embracing the Islam. He died during 50 Hijrah. Some families enjoy long lives generation after generation. Hassan’s (RU) father, Thabit, his grandfather, Mundhir, and his great grandfather, Haram, each lived for one hundred and twenty years. His house was like a fort and was known as Fare. In Arabic Fare means an elegant building that lies at a high level. This fort was in front of sixteenth door of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (SAS) transferred ladies and children of his family to this fort during the battle of Ahzab since there was no other safer place than this. A strange event took place in this fort. A Jew considered it a good opportunity to tease and disgrace the women and children while Muslims men were away in the battlefield. He circled around the fort and peeped into the building wherever he could. The aunt of the Prophet (SAS), Safia (RUA) noticed the activities of this Jew. She hit him with a bamboo stick and killed him then and there.

 

Hassan’s house was purchased by Jaafar bin Yahya, a minister in the cabinet of Haroon Rasheed. He also purchased Atika’s house and joined it with Hassan’s (RU) fort.  His new house extended all the way up to Bab Rahmah.

 

In 838 Hijrah, Sultan Shahab-ud-Din Ahmad of India built a school at the site of this fort. Sultan came from Gulburga. This school was known as. During the second Saudi extension it became the part of the Mosque.

 

7. Atika bint Abdullah (RUA) and her house:

She was the mother of caliph Yazeed bin Abdul Malik bin Marwan of Banu Umayya.

 

Her house was near Bab Rahmah. Therefore this Bab was also known as “Bab Atika.” Samhoudi (who died in 911 Hijrah) wrote as follows:

“The building on this site is donated for the use of custodial personnel of the Prophet’s Mosque. This building lies on your left hand side as you come out of Bab Rahmah.”

 

8. Naeem bin Abdullah (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Adi branch of Quraish tribe. He was a prominent companion of the Prophet (SAS). He embraced Islam before the migration to Habsha took place. He, however, migrated to Madina much later during the period of Hudaibia Truce. He took part in all the battles after migration.

 

One day the Prophet (SAS) said, “I entered paradise and heard Naeem coughing there.” Since that day Naeem was known as “Nahham” or a “person who coughs.”

 

He became a martyr at a place called “Ajnadeen” during the period of caliph Abu Bakr (RU). Some historian said that he became martyr during 15 Hijrah in the battle of Yarmook.

 

There used to be three-meter wide street that ran from Bab Rahmah into Madina market. If you came out of Bab Rahmah, the first house on the right hand side was Atika’s house and the second one was Naeem’s (RU) house. This house saw many changes but the street was preserved till the first Saudi extension of 1375 Hijrah.

 

9. Omar bin Khattab (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Adi branch of Quraish tribe. He was a person of great dominating personality and was a prominent leader of his tribe before embracing Islam.

 

The Prophet (SAS) wished that Allah guide him to the light of Islam. He accepted Islamic faith five years before Hijrah to Madina took place. Muslims used to pray in hiding till Omar (RU) joined the Muslim ranks and files. Muslims started praying around the House of Allah (Kabah) after Omar (RU) accepted Islam. That’s why the Prophet (SAS) gave him the title of ‘Farooq.’ Caliph Abu Bakr (RU) appointed him his successor. He had somewhat hard temperament but it was due to his straight forwardness and adherence to the truth. He was very courageous and a man of great understanding and farsightedness. He used to express his opinion openly and boldly. Allah (SWT) loved his shrewd opinions and made many of those as Islamic law for all the coming generations.

 

He led a simple life in spite of his high position. It was hard for a stranger to identify Caliph Omar (RU) among a group of Muslims because of his simplicity in his lifestyle.

 

During the period of Caliph Omar (RU) the scholars agreed upon offering twenty rakats Salat Taraweeh in the month of Ramadan. This practice is strictly followed in both Harams and all over the world since that time. Maximum conquests took place during the period of Caliph Omar (RU).

 

A fire worshipper and slave of Mugheera bin Shuba whose name is Abu Lu Lu wounded him during the salat. He died on the first of Muharram 24 Hijrah. Omar (RU) was buried by the side of the Prophet (SAS). As seen in the map, his house was between door seventeen and door eighteen of the Mosque.

 

During Salat-ul-Juma, the rows of worshippers used to extend into Omar’s (RU) house. This house of Omar (RU) is called “Dar-ul-Qada” for the following reason. Omar (RU) made a will to his daughter Hafsa (RUA) and to his son Abdullah (RU). In this will he asked them to sell his house to pay off his outstanding debts. If the proceeds of the house failed to pay off all debts, his tribe Banu Adi should pay rest of the debts. According to his will the house was sold to pay off debts and hence it came to be known as “House for paying debts.”

 

During 138 Hijrah, Ziyad bin Obaidullah was appointed Governor of Makkah and Madina. He removed Dar-ul-Qada and other surrounding houses during 151 Hijrah to serve this land as a courtyard for the Prophet’s Mosque. He installed a new door between Bab Rahmah and door of Abu Bakr’s (RU) house. This new door was called “Bab Ziyad” and a plate with the following wording was placed on the top of this door.

 

To seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and for the reward on the day of judgment, the governor has made the extension in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque for the comfort of the visitors to this Mosque (151 Hijrah).

 

This courtyard was between Bab Ziyad and Bab Salam and came to be known as “Rahba-tul-Qada (or Qada courtyard) instead of Dar-ul-Qada. This courtyard was left as it was for a long time. Perhaps Kaafoor Muzaffary, the head custodian of the Mosque was the first to construct a building at this site.

 

Samhoudi (died 911 Hijrah) wrote that the house built on this site near Bab Rahmah was known as Dar Shabak (i.e. house with windows). Adjacent to this house were Jobania School and Hisan Atiq (i.e. old fort). A Joban, head of Mughal forces, built Jobania School during 724 Hijrah. The old fort was probably built by one of governors of Madina. That’s why the governor of Madina used this fort as his residence. During 814 Hijrah, Sultan Giyas-ud-Din, the ruler of Bengal, converted this fort into a school.

 

After the second fire mishap of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sultan Ashraf Qaitabai removed these three buildings during 886 Hijrah. He built a new school and a travel lodge at this site. He also built a minaret at this corner of the Mosque.

 

The justice department used these buildings for a while. By and by they became ruins.

 

Sultan Abdul Majeed Turki built another school, a huge library and a house for the head master during 1237 Hijrah. Sultan Abdul Aziz Turki renovated these buildings during 1282 Hijrah.

 

These buildings and the minaret was removed during the first Saudi extension in 1372 Hijrah. Now they are part of the western open space of the Mosque. Their location is between Bab Rahmah and Bab Salam.

 

10. Abu Bakr’s (RU) western house:

One of the houses of Abu Bakr (RU) was adjacent to the western wall of the Mosque. Its main door was in the west wall of the house. Abu Bakr (RU) also installed a small door in the eastern wall of the house that opened into the Prophet’s Mosque for an easy access to the Mosque. As a mentioned in Bukhari, the Prophet (SAS) said, “Close all those doors which open into the Mosque except the door of the house of Abu Bakr (RU).”

 

When Caliph Omar (RU) extended the Mosque, he included Abu Bakr’s (RU) house into the Mosque. He, however, installed a door in the new western wall of the Mosque in line with the original door of Abu Bakr’s (RU) house. The new door opened into Qada courtyard.

 

As a result of this whenever the Prophet’s Mosque was extended in western direction, this door was moved westward in line with the original door. It was to obey the instruction of the Prophet (SAS) for good.

 

During the first Saudi extension, this door was extended as well. It now consists of three doors and the southern most one is in line with the original door of Abu Bakr’s (RU) house as written on it in Arabic Khokhah Abi Bakr. Small door of Abu Bakr’s (RU) house.

 

The exact location of Abu Bakr’s (RU) western house is as follows. If you walk west ward from Mimbar, the house was located after the fifth pillar from the Mimbar. It was, of course, in line with the door marked “Khokhah Abu Bakr.”

 

It is interesting to note that the above-mentioned order of the Prophet (SAS) was an indicator and prediction that Abu Bakr (RU) would be the first caliph. Note even the door of the house of Abu Bakr (RU) is given permanent identification by Allah (SWT) through the instructions of His Prophet (SAS).

 

11.Abdullah Bin Mukammal (RU) and his house:

Famous historian Ibn Shabba count Abdullah bin Mukkamal among the companions of the Prophet (SAS). Probably he is the one who divorced his wives on his deathbed in order to deprive his wives from the inheritance. However, Caliph Osman (RU) gave the wives of Abdullah their legal share from the inheritance,

 

As seen in the map, his house was opposite to the Naeem’s (RU) house. It’s door opened into the Qada courtyard. Abdullah did not own this house. He had taken it on a deed gift from Abdur Rehman bin Auf (RU). There was Madina market on the west side of this house. This market had fruits, vegetables and shops of goldsmiths.

 

One resident of this house said to the Prophet (SAS), “O dear Prophet we used to have a large family with a lot of wealth at our disposal. Unfortunately the members of our family and our wealth are sharply decreasing since we stepped into this house.”

 

The Prophet (SAS) said to him, “Leave this house and find another residence.”

 

Jobania School was built at the site of this house during 724 Hijrah. This school was there till 886 Hijrah. Sultan Ashraf Qaitabai removed this school building and ordered to build a royal residence and a new school called “Ashrafia School” was built during 886 Hijrah. After the death of Qaitabai, it again came to be known as Jobania School.

 

Hasabulla Makki (who died in 1335 Hijrah) said, “Even now people called it Jobania lodge. The alarming myths of earlier times are still prevalent. We hear some unusual stories from the senior citizens pertaining to the few western rooms of this travel lodge. These stories cannot be easily dispelled.”

 

Allah (SWT) knows the best.

 

12.Hakim bin Hizam Asadi (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Asad branch of Quraish tribe. He was nephew of Khadija (RU) and cousin of Zubair bin Awwam (RU). He was known as Abu Khalid. He was born thirteen years before the event of the owners of the elephants. He took part in battle of Fujjar. This was a long drawn battle during the period of ignorance. Arabs used to respect the three sacred months even before dawn of Islam. However they disregarded the three sacred months during this battle. Hence it was called “Battle of Fujjar” (i.e. the battle of sinners).

 

He was a close friend of the Prophet )SAS) before and after the dawn of Islam. As mentioned in a Hadith, the Prophet (SAS) said at the conquest of Makkah, “If a person took refuge in the house of Hakeem today, he would be granted amnesty.”

 

He accepted Islam on the day of the conquest of Makkah and soon after this took part in the battle of Hunain and Taif. He died during 50 Hijrah or later than that. He also lived for one hundred and twenty years like Hassan bin Thabit (RU). Sixty of these years were before the dawn of Islam and sixty years after the dawn of Islam.

 

His house can be seen in the map. The door of this house opened into a street lying just west of the house. Samhoudi said that there used to be a fruit market in this street during the end of ninth century and the early part of the tenth century Hijrah.

 

13.Mutee bin Aswad (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Adi branch of Quraish tribe. He accepted Islam at the time of the conquest of Makkah. He was one of those who were helped financially to reinforce their faith called “Muallifa-tul-Qaloob”. His faith was firmed up later on. His original name was Asi i.e. disobedient. The Prophet (SAS) changed his name to Mutee i.e. obedient. This is how it happened.

 

One day the Prophet (SAS) was delivering a sermon to his companions from the mimbar. The Prophet (SAS) said to his companions, “Sit down.” Asi was on his way to the Mosque when he heard this instruction of the Prophet (SAS). Asi sat down where he was on hearing this instruction. Later on the Prophet (SAS) said to Asi, “How come I didn’t see you in this sermon?” Asi said, “O dear Prophet, I was on my way to the Mosque when I heard you saying ‘sit down’. I sat down there and then to follow your instructions.” The Prophet (SAS) said to him, “You are not Asi (i.e. disobedient). You are Mutee (i.e. obedient).” Since that time he came to be known as Mutee.

 

He died during the period of caliph Omar (RU). His son Abdullah bin Mutee was the commander of the residents of Madina during 63 Hijrah.

Mutee’s house was known as Anqa. Please see the map for its location. During fourteenth century Hijrah, Fakhri Pasha removed this house and also other houses around it to extend the courtyard of the Mosque.

 

14.Abdullah bin Saad (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Amer branch of Quraish tribe. He was an outstanding horse rider. He was very capable and a man of great understanding. He was one of the prominent leaders of Quraish tribe. He embraced Islam before the conquest of Makkah and he migrated to Madina. He used to write and record the revelations brought to Prophet Mohammad (SAS) by Jibreel (AS).

 

A big accident took place in his life. The accident was that he reverted back to disbelief after embracing Islam on account of some doubts created in his mind. However, Allah (SWT) wanted him to play a bigger role in near future. By grace of Allah (SWT), he again embraced Islam on the very day of the conquest of Makkah. Now his faith was even firmer. So much so that he was appointed governor of Egypt during 25 Hijrah. Not only that, whole Africa was conquered by him during 27 Hijrah.

 

He used to make the following supplication: “May Allah (SWT) make my last action in this life as salat.” Allah (SWT) granted his supplication. He died during 30 Hijrah when he was offering salat.

 

A street used to run westward from Bab Salam. If you come out of Bab Salam, the first house on the right hand was owned by Abdullah bin Saad (RU). He bought this house from Abbas (RU) for thirty thousand dirhams. After Abdullah’s death it was inherited by his son, Owais and came to be known as Awais house. During the middle of ninth century Hijrah, Qadi Abdullah Basit built a school on this site that was called “Basitia School.”

 

15.Muawiya (RU) and his house:

He belonged to Banu Ummaya branch of Quraish tribe. He was very capable and a man of great understanding. He was serene and gentle in personality. He was very eloquent in his speech. He also used to write and record the revelations brought to Prophet Mohammad (SAS) by Jibreel (AS). As mentioned in Tirmidhi, the Prophet (SAS) made the following dua for Maawiya (RU).

 

Oh Allah, please enable Muawiya to provide guidance to others. Please keep him on your guidance and make him provider of the guidance to the Ummah. He was appointed governor of Syria. He became caliph after Hasan (RU) withdrew himself. He was caliph for twenty years. He died on the 22nd of Rajab 60 Hijrah when he was seventy-eight years old.

 

The door of his house also used to open into the adjacent street lying just east of his house.

 

16. Nufil bin Haris (RU) and his house:

He was uncle of the Prophet (SAS). He was one of the prisoners in the Battle of Badr. Later on he embraced Islam and migrated to Madina. Prophet (SAS) made Islamic brotherhood between him and Abbas (RU). Both loved each other deeply even before the dawn of Islam. So much so that their all assets were common.

 

Nufil (RU) took part in conquest of Makkah and battles of Hunain and Taif. Nufil (RU) was one of those who displayed steadfastness during the Battle of Hunain. He used three thousand arrows against the enemy and stood by the Prophet (SAS) during the critical hours.

 

The Prophet (SAS) granted side-by-side pieces of land to Nufil (RU) and Abbas (RU). Both built their houses on them. During the extension of Mosque by caliph Omar (RU), Abbas’ (RU) house was definitely included in the Mosque. Probably Nufil’s (RU) house was not included at that time. Just south of Nufil’s (RU) house was palace of Marwan bin Hakam that was used as residence by governor of Madina.

 

17.Ammar bin Yasir (RU) and his house:

His mother was a freed slave of Banu Makhzum. Ammar and his parents embraced Islam at the very dawn of Islam. They experienced extreme torture from the disbelievers due to their new faith. Whenever the Prophet (SAS) saw them being tortured by the disbelievers, he said, “O family of Yasir, be patient, your abode is Paradise.”

 

The whole family of Yasir (RU) is included in the group of believers who were foremost in embracing Islam and would be, by the grace of Allah (SWT), the foremost to enter the paradise. Prophet (SAS) gave him two very enviable titles Tayyeb i.e. good person and Mutayyeb i.e. who makes others good persons.

 

One of his ears was chopped off during the battle of Yamama. When caliph Omar (RU) appointed him governor of Kufa, Omar (RU) wrote the following letter to the people of Kufa, “O residents of Kufa, I am sending to you a very prominent and highly respected companion of the Prophet (SAS).”

 

He was martyred during the battle of Safain when he took part on the side of Ali (RU). He was ninety-three years old.

 

The scholars agree that the following verse was revealed about him. An-Nahl # 106

 

Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith; but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment.

 

His house was on the southwestern corner of the Mosque. Abbas’ (RU) house was just east of it and Abu Sabra’s (RU) house was just north of it. Nowadays if you enter the Mosque from Bab Salam, the location of the houses of Ammar (RU) and Abu Sabra (RU) are near the second column on your right hand side.

 

18.Abu Sabra bin Abi Rahm (RU) and his house:

He was son of the Prophet’s paternal aunt. His mother was Barra bint Abdul Muttalib. He first migrated to Habsha. Later he migrated to Madina. He moved to Makkah after the Prophet (SAS) left us. He died during the period of caliph Osman (RU). The location of his house is described above along with Ammar’s (RU) house. This house was included in the Mosque during the extension of the Mosque by Omar bin Abdul Aziz (RU).

 

19.Rabah Aswad (RU) and his house:

He was freed slave of the Prophet (SAS). He used to get permission (from the Prophet (SAS)) for any companion who wished to see the Prophet (SAS). One time the Prophet (SAS) separated himself temporarily from all his wives for a period of one month. The Prophet (SAS) was residing in  a building occupied by Maria Qibtiya (RUA) in an area of Madina called Awali. It was Rabah (RU) who got permission for Omar (RU) to see the Prophet (SAS) during this sensitive situation.

 

Rabah (RU) had black color and it became part of his name and he came to be known as Rabah Aswad (Aswad means black in Arabic).

As mentioned in History of Madina, his house was near Bab Salam and in the western corner of Abu Sufyan’s (RU) house.

 

20. Abu Sufyan (RU) and his house:

He was father of Muawiya (RU). His name was Sakhr bin Harb bin Omayya but was known as Abu Sufyan. He was very intelligent and had very dominating and commanding personality. He always came up with his novel opinions and their justification in various matters. He embraced Islam on the day of conquest of Makkah. The Prophet (SAS) raised Abu Sufyan’s morale by making the following announcement on the day of conquest of Makkah, “Whoever took refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan (RU) will not be harmed in anyway.”

 

It should be noted that, at the dawn of Islam, whenever disbelievers tortured the Prophet (SAS) he used to take refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan (RU). By making above announcement at the conquest of Makkah the Prophet (SAS) returned the favor of Abu Sufyan (RU) to him.

There used to be a statue of Manat at a place called Qudaid. The Prophet (SAS) appointed Abu Sufyan (RU) to destroy it completely. Abu Sufyan (RU) died during 31 Hijrah or a bit later than that. He was eighty-eight years old. He lost his eyesight during the last part of his life.

 

His house was west of the house of Marwan. Abu Sufyan’s (RU) house was the highest and the most magnificent among all the houses in Madina. Miqdad’s (RU) house was on one corner of it. Yazeed bin Abdul Malik purchased the house from the family of Abu Sufyan (RU). He also purchased the houses of Rabah (RU) and Miqdad (RU). He built a very lofty palace at this site.

 

21. Miqdad bin Amr (RU) and his house:

Miqdad bin Amr bin Thaalba (RU) came to Makkah and, by an agreement, became ally of Aswad bin Yaghus. Aswad highly honored Miqdad. So much so that he made him his son. Consequently Miqdad came to be known as Miqdad bin Aswad instead of Miqdad bin Amr. Allah (SWT) did not approve this custom of that time. Quran announced in Al-Ahzab # 5

 

Call them by their fathers: that is more just with Allah.

 

After this revelation he was called Miqdad bin Amr (RU) again. Miqdad bin Amr (RU) was one of the seven companions who were the foremost in embracing Islam at the dawn of Islam. He migrated to the Habsha due to the tortures of the disbelievers. He later migrated to Madina. He married the daughter of the Prophet’s uncle, Zubair bin Abdul Muttalib. Her name was Zabaah.

 

Abdullah bin Masood (RU) said, “I heard one special statement from Miqdad (RU). I wish I had the honor to make this statement in his place. I would have love this action on my part more than the entire world put at my disposal.” He added, Miqdad (RU) said to the Prophet (SAS) at the time of Battle of Badr, ‘O! Prophet of Allah, I swear that we will not say to you what people of Musa (AS) said to him. Al-Maidah # 24

So go you and your Lord and fight you two, we are sitting right here.

 

Miqdad (RU) added, “We will rather fight on your right and left and in front and behind of you.”

 

Abdullah bin Masood (RU) noticed that the Prophet’s (SAS) face blushed with happiness to see the courage and firm faith of Miqdad (RU).

Miqdad bin Amr had very high place in the eyes of the Prophet (SAS). Miqdad (RU) died at the place called Jurf which lies about three miles from Madina. He was seventy years old. His body was brought to Madina and Caliph Osman (RU) led his Salat-ul-Janaza. He was buried in Baqee.

 

END of "The Houses of the Companions (Radhiyallaahu 'anhum) Around Masjid Nabawi " posts 

 

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Diagrams of the Expansion of Masjid Nabawi and Interior Details


Diagrams showing the expansions made to Masjid Nabawi since the time of our Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhiw asallam. The diagrams showing the interior details gives us a better understanding of the layout. (click on pictures to enlarge)


 


 


An-Aerial-View-Of-The-Expansions-Of-The-Prophets-Mosque-P902.jpg        A-View-Of-Expansions-Of-Prophet-Mosque-P899.jpg


 


 


 


These diagrams shows the interior details


 


A Interior%20Details%20Of%20The%20Prophets%20Mosque-P904.jpg   inside green dome.png 


 


masjid nabwi map of rowdhah.gif       


 


Future mega plans!


 


new-madinah-medina.jpg future plan Masjid-Nabaw.jpg


 


 future mega plan masjid nabawi.jpg 


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Current Work Area

 

masjid nabwi extention miskeenah.png Masjid-Nabawi-expansion-area miskeenah.png

 

The green area is where they are currently working…

as can be seen it is a fraction of the whole design…

the pink is the area of the current Masjid Nabawi

 

 

work 1.jpg work3.jpg

 

work4.jpg

Most of these buildings will soon be gone

 

 

work5.jpg

palaces come and go…

Insha’Allah our final Blissful Abode will be for ETERNITY…

and even the expansion will be dust…

 

More pictures & Info: here & here

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King Abdul Aziz Library in Madinah

 

This library is regarded as one of the largest libraries. Besides many printed books, it stocks a large range of ancient manuscripts as well.

 

It accommodates 1,878 old manuscripts of the Qur'an from which two date back to 488 A.H. and 549 A.H. A hall has been designated for rare books which number over 25,000.

 

An important feature of this library is that a number of old and new libraries of Madinah have been merged into it i.e. the Arif Hikmet Library, Mahmoodiah Library and Madinah Public Library.

 

 

It is situated to the West of Masjid Nabawi on Manakhah Road. It is open during the day and in the evening and offers photocopying facilities. It conducts a special evening session for female researchers under supervision of female librarians. "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Ghani"

 

 

king abdul aziz library madinah.jpg  library-king abdulaziz library madinah.jpg

 

 

library-King Abdul Aziz Library from saqeefa.jpg

Can be seen from Saqifah Bani Sa'edah

(garden mentioned in post number 8 of this topic)

 

Inside

king abdul aziz library  inside madinah.jpg

 

king abdul aziz library  inside2 madinah.jpg  king abdul aziz library  inside3 madinah.jpg

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Madinah Munawwarah Research and Study Centre

 

This centre collects information perstaining to Madinah Munawwarah from various sources and centres. After evrification and research, it is prepared for publication and distribution. It is made available on the internet for people working with projects realated to Madinah Munawwarah.

 

To date, the centre has prepared many programmes on CD and published books. This centre has built models of historic Madinah such as "Old Madinah enclosed in boundary wall" and "Model of old Madinah Munawwarah" (picture below)

 

model of old madinah.jpg

 

 

The following information is from their website.

 

It is a charitable cultural authority concerned with the civilized heritage of Al Madinah in terms of: collecting it from the diverse languages, maintaining it, verifying its manuscripts, and publishing research and studies on Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

Since its beginning till the date of preparing such information, the Center has completed multiple works including:

1- Establishing a library on Al Madina Al Munawwarah combining  books specialized in it, sources, and references containing information regarding it.

2- Establishing a  database in computer on Al Madina Al Munawwarah.

3- Creating a website relevant to the information of Al Madina Al Munawwarah in the worldwide web in the two Arabic and English languages.

4- Issuing twenty three  books on Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

5- Issuing a judged seasonal magazine to publish the methodological researches on Al Madinah Al Munawwarah in all fields of knowledge.

6- Producing films and programs on Al Madina Al Munawwarah and to be recorded on video tapes and laser discs.

7- Preparing models representing diverse stages of the history of Al Madina Al Munawwarah.

8- Collecting photos of the manuscripts of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah from all over the world and entering them in computer.

9- Preparing an archive for the Ottoman documents on Al Madina Al Munawwarah, exceeding one hundred thousand documents and entering them  the computer.

 10- Holding scientific symposia and meetings on the history and issues of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

11- Holding fairs on the Prophet’s biography and the history of Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

 

 

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Islamic University of Madinah Munawwarah

Established in 1381 A.H. It provides courses in five different areas; Faculty of Qur'an, Faculty of Hadith, Faculty of Shariah, Faculty of Da'wah & Usool ud Deen and faculty of Arabic Language. Students with high pass grades are given a chance to enter the M.A. and PhD. degree programs.

 

islamic university fo madinah.jpg

 

 

Entrance

islamic university fo madinah. entrance.jpg

 

 

Libarary

islamic university fo madinah. entrance.library.jpg

 

 

Hostel

islamic university fo madinah. hostel.jpg

 

 

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Al-Musalla & Al Munakha

 

Al-Musalla is a ground located South West of Masjid Nabawi. At different places of this ground, Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam led the 'Eid prayers, the funeral prayer of Negus and at times the Istisqaa (Prayer for rain during period of drought) prayer too.  

This ground was also the business place of the Muslims. Trade caravans of camels would stop here thus this place was known as "Manakha".

 

 

Historical narrations suggest that during the government of 'Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz (87AH to 93AH) he built masjids at these places to preserve their history. The Masaajid which were built at this place were Masjid Ghamamah, Masjid Abu Bakr, Masjid Umar, Masjid Ali. From "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Ghani

 

 

 

 

musalla map.jpg

Walking from the south western corner of Masjid Nabawi, we pass Musalla and Munakha (green circled area) 

(Map from Al-Miskeenah)

 

 

nabwi, ghamamah, abu bakr ali masjids.jpg

In this picture (from skyscrapercity.com) its Masjid  Ghamamah, Abu Bakr and Ali

Click to enlarge

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                        The Beautiful Illuminated City of the Beloved of Allah Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam!

Found this beautiful picture here 

 

 

%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF%20%

 

 

 

 

                                                                            From Another Angle

 

 

%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF%20%

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Hospitals In Madinah Munawwarah

 

The Ministry of Health has established 21 hospitals with 7,000-bed capacity to serve and provide health care to pilgrims. There are hospitals, ambulances and other centers specializing in the treatment of sunstrokes and heat exhaustion in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and the Holy Shrines. Makkah Al-Mukarramah has seven hospitals with a total capacity of 3,173 beds.

 

The following hospitals serve pilgrims in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah:

 

1- King Fahd Hospital (500 beds).

2- The Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital (500 beds).

3- Badr Charitable Hospital (216 beds).

4- Chest Diseases Hospital (120 beds).

5- Isolation Hospital (57 beds).

6- Common Diseases Hospital (200 beds).

7- Al Ansar Hospital (130 beds).

8- Al-Migat Hospital (120 beds).

9- Ohud Hospital (239 beds).

10- Madinatul Hujjaj Hospital (36 beds)

11- Al-Hanakiyah Hospital (68 beds).

12- Khaiber General Hospital (50beds).

(Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia)

 

King Fahad Hospital

hospital - king fahad hos in madinah.png

 

Al-Ansar Hospital

hospital  al ansar cropped.jpg

 

 

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The Hijaz Railway Line

 

hedjaz%20train.jpg 

 

Hijaz Train in operation

hijaz railway in operation Old pic.gif

 

During the Ottoman (Turkish) rule, a railway line had been built starting from Madinah Munawwarah stretching as far as Damascus. This was known as the Hijaaz Railway and linked the blessed city with the world and more importantly, Istanbul. The work was completed in 1326 AH (1908 AD). For nine years it operated between Damascus and Madinah Munawwarah bringing pilgrims from Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Turkey and Europe to the Holy Lands. Originally it was planned to extend it to Makkatul Mukarramah and South Yemen. (Chapters from the History of Madinah, 20) "Women's Guide in Madinah Munawwarah" by Mufti Muhammad Faruq

 

hijaz rail map.png

 

 

From Al-Miskeenah

‘Wildly improbable’ were words describing the mammoth task of constructing a 1000 mile railway across pitiless, wadi-fissured deserts, a barren wilderness strewn with unforgiving mountains and hard volcanic rock. Yet this monumental engineering feat is what was achieved in the declining years of the great Ottoman Empire.

 

Sultan Abdulhamid II supported the project for many reasons, primarily, his position as Caliph was to ensure the safety of the Hajj, in particular for those travelling from the northern areas. Prior to the railway the overland journey from Damascus would average 40 days with incredible suffering. Extreme temperatures, disease, dysentery, shortage of drinking water and the constant threat of attack from the local Bedouins accompanied them throughout their ordeal. Hundreds died along the way. Once the railway was operative it reduced the travel time to four days, was cheaper and thus more were able to contemplate performing Hajj, and thus increase trade and business in the Haramain.

 

 

Madinah Station

 

Hejaz Railway Staion Madinah 2.jpg  Hejaz Railway Staion Madinah  3.jpg 

 

hijaz station front view.jpg

 

Inside the Station

hejaz satation  madinah inside 2009.jpg

 

The plan to extend the rail line to Makkah never materialised while the rail track between Ma'aan and Madinah was put out of operation during the Arab revolt against Turkish rule. Below are details from britannica.com

 

Hejaz Railway, Turkish Hicaz Demiryolu,  railroad between Damascus and Madinah, one of the principal railroads of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. The main line, built by a multiracial labour force mainly under the supervision of a German engineer, traversed 820 miles (1,320 km) of difficult country and was completed in only eight years. It ran from Damascus southward to Darʿā (Deraa) and thence over Transjordan via Az-Zarqāʾ, Al-Qaṭrānah, and Maʿān into northwestern Arabia, and inland via Dhāt al-Ḥajj and Al-ʿUlā to Medina. The major branch line, 100 miles (160 km) long, from Darʿā to Haifa on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine, was completed in 1905.

 

When the Arabs of the Hejaz revolted against Turkish rule in 1916, the track between Maʿān and Medina was put out of operation by Arab raids, largely inspired by the British military strategist T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). After the war the operative sections of the track were taken over by the Syrian, Palestinian, and Transjordanian governments. The section of the railway running from Maʿān, Jordan, to Medina was heavily damaged and was abandoned after 1917; plans to restore the line in the 1960s were not fulfilled.

 

Damascus Station

From Wikipedia

hejaz railway station in damascus.jpg

 

Hejaz Train Station (Arabic: محطة الحجاز‎) is a main train station located in central Damascus, Syria close to the Marjeh Square. It was built by the Ottomans 1908 as the northern terminus of the Hejaz railway. The railway was intended to ferry pilgrims to Medina. The station's interior has a beautiful decorated ceiling. The actual platforms of the station are closed - a much-delayed project was to see the station expanded to include a high-rise hotel, shopping mall and underground railway - and all trains now leave from Qaddam station

 

Following information from here

The Hijaz Railway, conceived as a convenient route to the holy cities of Medina and Makkah for Muslim pilgrims from the Turkish Ottoman Empire, had a short but eventful existence in the early years of this century. The railway was founded by subscriptions raised throughout the Islamic world, and work began in May 1900, to build the single track line almost 1,100 miles long from Damascus to Medina. Eight years later, a work force of 5,500 Turks, Syrians and Iraqis had completed the railway, under the supervision of a German engineer.

 

The Hijaz Railway was built with fortifications at regular intervals along its route, manned by Turkish garrisons to protect this vital link of the far flung Ottoman Empire. Along the route lie relics of the famous Hijaz railway, with stations, track and rolling stock still standing as Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab guerrillas left them after their First World War raids against the Turkish garrisons. Its strategic importance was recognized by the British in the First World War, and a sabotage campaign was launched by Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab guerrillas. So successful were these raids on the railway that when the war ended in 1918 the Hijaz Railway was effectively destroyed, just 10 years after it opened. Today, the scenes of these skirmishes and the remains of the Hijaz Railway can be seen virtually untouched along the route to Mada'in Saleh, which was itself an important station on the railway.

 

Hijaz Rail Line Destruction

hejaz rail line destruction.jpg
 

 

Saudi Arabia and Turkey have reaffirmed their desire to restore and rebuild the historic Hejaz Railway that linked Damascus with the holy city of Madinah by a narrow-gauge rail line however there are no plans to use the old station.

 

Full history and details of the Hijaz Railway with  pictures available at Nabataea while Al-miskeenah recommends reading The Hejaz Railway by James Nicholson.  A scholarly and absorbing account, initially describing the painstaking processes associated with the project and then moving onto its sad demise during the wartime attacks.

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Masjid Suqya (& Well)

is situated within the boundary wall of the Hijaz Railway complex.

 

masjid suqya within station walls.jpg

 

Suqya was land belonging to Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas RadhiAllahu anhu. This place is now commemorated by a small three domed mosque also built during the Turkish Era. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam set off for the Battle of Badr from here, where he inspected and paraded the troops and returned the young and infirm.

 

Water was drawn for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to drink and to perform Wudhu at the Suqya Well, also belonging to Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas RadhiAllahu anhu which was just to the south of the position of the Masjid. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam also prayed here, and this is where he made Du’a for Barakah for Madinah. Source

 

 

masjid_suqya_suqya_well.jpg

 

 

Below is a picture of a model of the  railway station and barracks with the Ottoman Masjid and Masjid Suqya which is inside the railway complex (in the private museum of Abdul Aziz Kaki, a local historian and author of several voluminous volumes illuminating a wealth of information about this City of Illumination - Al-Miskeenah)

 

hijaz railway station with masjid suqya model.jpg

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Mada'in Saleh Station

 

Pictures from Al-Miskeenah of the old train station at  Mada'in Saleh Station which was a couple of stops after Madinah on the Hijaz Rail Line. Here  is where used to be the Hijaz Railway Museum (one of two in Saudi Arabia dedicated to the Hijaz Railway, the second one being at the Madinah Station). After much restoration work at Madinah Station, where the museum was open to the public for a few years, it is now closed. 

 

I'm not sure if the Mada'in Saleh Museum is still open however these are pictures taken at the Mada'in Saleh Museum of the locomotives which used to bring in pilgrims from as far as Syria and Palestine making their journey shorter, safer and easier. 

 

 

hejaz-railway at madain.jpg hejaz-railway at madain 2.jpg hejaz-railway at madain3.jpg

 

 

hejaz-railway at madain4.jpg

These are what remains of the tracks with the

barracks in the distance at the Madain Saleh station.

 

madain saleh station restored.jpg  madain saleh station.jpg

 

madain saleh station2.png

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Masjid Ambariyah


 


 


masjid amariyah.jpg


 


 


It is situated across the Madinah Railway Station


hijaz railway station with masjid ambariyah.jpg


 


The station partially visible to the left.


Masjid ambariyah ariel.jpg


 


 


masjid ambariyah now.jpg


Masjid Anbariyah as it is now, enclosed within a circular island completely surrounded by a constant flow of traffic. Alhumdulillah for the addition of palms and a touch of green. The triple white domed building to the right is the government’s Amaarah. The railway station is to the right of this photo, and Haram to the left. (From Al- Miskeenah)  


 


Short YouTube Clip showing The Madinah Railway Station and Masjid Ambariyyah

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Al-Jurf

 

al-jurf red circler area lies northwest of madinah miskeenah.jpg

 

Al-Jurf is the red circled area (This map from Almiskeenah)

The aqua line shows the approximate route Dajjal will reportedly take on attempting to enter Madinah. He approaches from the north of Jabal Uhud, then proceeds to Jabal Habshi.

 

This area lies beside the valley of Aqeeq to the north west of Madinah. Al-Jameaat road runs through its centre. It boasts a large recreation park known as  “Hadeeqah Al Nakheel”

 

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam  sent an army under the command of Usama bin Zayd (Raliallahu anhu) to fight the Christians of Greater Syria. Upon reaching Jurf they heard the ill health of  Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and camped there toa wait the news of his well being so that they may proceed. Prophet (Peace be upon him) passed away and the first caliph dispatched the army to go forth.

 

Dajjal shall come to Jurf and camp here. He shall not enter Madinah as Allah will have appointed Angels to protect Madinah. It is narrated in Muslim that "Dajjal will come to the salt plain of Jurf. Then the Angels will turn his face towards Syria and there he will perish."

 

It is worth noting that a portion of Jurf lays within the boundary of teh Haram (Sanctified area) of Madinah while the latter portion is outside it, as marked by the committee of the Interior Ministry in 1424 A.H.

 

"Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani

 

 

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Thaniyyatul Wadaa

 

The linguistic meaning of Thaniyyah is that of a mountain pass and Wadaa means Farewell so Thaniyyatul Wadaa means "A place where farewell and welcome reception is made to travellers". There were two such Thaniyyatul Wadaa in Madinah.

 

Northern Thaniyyatul Wadaa 

 

The first one to the North for those travelling towards Khaibar, Tabuk, Syria etc. It was located at at a distance of 750m from the North-West corner of Masjid Nabawi. In the beginning of the 15th century it was included in the extension of the roads. Its position today is at the intersection of Sayyid us Shuhada Road and Abu Bakr Road. A Masjid once existed there known as Masjid Thaniyyatul Wadaa.

 

 madinah-training-ground4.jpg

 

The building in the background marks the Northern Thaniyyatul Wadaa

and where the cars are parked is where Masjid Sabaq was until it was demolished

(The picture of Masjid Sabaq and more details is in Post number 10 on page 1 of this topic)

 

 

northern thaniyatul wadaa location.png

This picture from

"Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah"

 

 

Southern Thaniyyatul Wadaa

 

Fort of Quba

qubafort2.jpg

 

The second Thaniyyatul Wadaa was to the South of Madinah for those travelling towards Makkah. Its approximate location is somewhere near the Fort of Quba and Masjid Jumu'ah. It was at this Thaniyyatul Wadaa that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam was received upon migration and the girls of Banu Najjar sang:

 

Tala’al-Badru ‘alayna,

min thaniyyatil-Wada’

wajaba al-shukru ‘alayna,

ma da’a lillahi da’

 

 

O the White Moon rose over us

From the Valley of Wada’

And we owe it to show gratefulness

Where the call is to Allah

 

From "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani

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Horse Training Ground

 

Masjid Sabaq

masjid_sabaq.jpg  horse-training-ground - where the cars are parked is where Masjid Sabaq was.jpg

Where the cars are parked in the second picture is where Masjid Sabaq was

 

The location of Masjid Sabaq (which has been demolished) was 520 metres North-West of Masjid Nabawi.

It used to be the ground used by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam for training horses for the battles.

 

Masjid Sabaq was just to the south of Thaniyyatul Wadaa (mentioned in the previous post) and was the starting point of a race course which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and his Companions Radhiyallaahu 'anhum used to train and race horses.  

 

The race course had two finishing points;

 

The first finishing point was at the locality of Banu Zuraiq (A prominent tribe of the Ansaar) which was situated to the south of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Ghamamah. This was the shorter course for untrained horses.

 

The second finishing point was Hafyaa which is located to the west of Mount Uhud (approximately 10km from Masjid Nabawi). In the time of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam rehearsal drills for horse riding would be carried up to here.

 

Above information from "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani

 

 

The following is an inspiring account from Al-Miskeenah with wonderful pictures

 

horse-training-ground-walled construction site marks the race track used by R n sahaba to train horses.jpg

 

…no neighing, snorting or dust swirling from galloping horses…

no yelling, encouraging bareback riders, turbans flying to go faster…

no sword blades glinting in the afternoon sunlight…

…this walled construction site that has been sitting idle for years, marks the race track used by our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his esteemed Companions RadhiAllahu anhum to train horses for battles

 

 

 

horse -training-ground - Sulai'-sala' was marker along the track.jpg

 

…the smaller outcrop of Sulai’, the little Sala’ was a marker along the track

(The Sulai' is the rock which can be seen towards the left of the picture) 

 

 

 

horse-training-ground - road showing where track was.jpg

(The walled construction site marking the the track can be seen on the far right side of this picture)

 

…it doesn’t take much to comprehend how the landscape was during the time our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his gallant Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum were racing the distance seen in this photo…the track being along this very stretch to as far as the eye can see in the distance…to Al-Musalla site and Banu Zuraiq, which was the shorter race for the untrained horses…

 

 

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The Well of Zarwaan & the Black Magic of a Hypocrite

 

In the post above (Horse Training Ground), mention is made of the locality of Banu Zuraiq (A prominent tribe of the Ansaar) which was situated to the south of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Ghamamah and which was the finishing point  of the shorter race course.

 

The well of Zarwaan was also in the locality of the Banu Zuraiq. A hypocrite, Labeed bin al A'asam practiced magic over the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and buried it in this well. Jibrail  AS informed the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam of this and it was removed. Jibrail AS recited Suratul Falaq and Suratun Naas to cure him from the magic. (Sahih Bukhari Hadith number 5765)

 

From "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani

 

 

 

 

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Turaabi Madinah (Soil of Madinah) & the Question of Healing in it

 

Aisha (Radhiyallaahu 'anhaa) reported, "When any person fell ill with a disease or had an ailment of injury, the Prophet of Allah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam placed his forefinger on the ground and then lifted it by reciting the name of Allah and said, 'The dust of our ground with the saliva of one of us serves as cure for our ill ones, with the sanction of Allah'" (Sahih Muslim Hadith number 2194)

 

Question?

 

From the above (which is from "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah" Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani) we know that the soil of Madinah "with the saliva of one of us" serves as a cure with the will of Almighty Allah and no specific area of Madinah is mentioned. However there are reports and stories of a specific area in Madinah which has soil with healing properties (Known as Khaaq-e-Shifaa in Urdu).

 

How true are these reports? Let us inshaAllah try and find out....

 

These old pictures are of the site in Madinah where it is believed the earth has amazing healing properties

 

 

khake shifa.gif  khake%20shifa.jpg

 

 

                                khaqe shifa garden.jpg

 

The place as shown in the pictures above does not exist anymore. In some places on the internet it says the place has been turned into a sewage canal. This however, is not true. It is not a sewage canal but a waterway dug in to drain rainwater. The following is a picture of how it looks now.

 

P26-05-09_12.06.JPG

 

 

Is there any truth in these stories or is it a Misconception?

 

The following is a question posed to a Mufti and the reply.

 

Q: What is the status of the shifa (cure) sand from Madinah Munawarah? 

 

A: Your query refers. The shifaa sand is derived from a special garden in Madinah which contains the date palms planted by Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). For centuries people used the sand of that garden for purposes of shifaa or cure. To do so is permissible, but one should not go above the limit and start giving that sand extra-ordinary significance 

 

And Allah Ta'ala knows best

Mufti Siraj Desai

 

 

The following Hadith is mentioned in a Fatwa regarding use of Ruqya where the Mufti sahib explains the different methods of Ruqya found in authentic traditions Here 

 

Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan that the Prophet (SAS) came to Thabit Ibn Qais who was sick and recited the dua upon him, ’O Lord of Mankind, take away the harm from Thabit Ibn Qais’. Then he (the Prophet) took some earth from Buthaan (a place in Medina) and then put it in a container and put water in it. After, doing this, he then splashed the water on Thabit’. (Abu Dawood)

 

*The above hadith is also mentioned by Al-Miskeenah in the post on the valley of Bathan

 

*And this YouTube video shows the place. It is in Urdu and mentions the Hadith from Abu Dawood.

 

*The author of "Pictorial History of Madinah Munawwarah," Dr.Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani says,

"The narration regarding the sand of But'haan is weak"

 

 

And Allah subhaanahu wata'ala knows best...............

 

 

 

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Mount Uhud & the Parks along its Foothills 

 

Mount_Uhud.jpg  mount uhud 3 mnts.jpg

 

Narrated Anas bin Malik: When the mountain of Uhud came in the sight of Allah’s Apostle he said. “This is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us. O Allah! Abraham made Mecca a sanctuary, and I make (the area) in between these two mountains (of Medina) a sanctuary.” Muslim

 

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet said (to the mountain), "Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.  Bukhari

 

This is the mountain which pulls every Believer during the visit to Madinah Munawwarah. One is taken back in time with thoughts of the beloved Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and the gallant and devoted Sahabah Radhiyallaahu 'anhum fighting the disbelievers who were bent on the annihilation of the Muslims. One can imagine the Companions guarding the pass from Mount Rumah; their running down thinking the battle had been won leading to the enemy taking advantage and the beloved sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam being attacked.....

 

jabal_rumah.jpg

Mount Rumah

 

The Parks at Mount Uhud

The following information and pictures from a post by Sister Mikeenah reports the opening of gardens/parks along the foothills of the mountain along with awful, glaring shops! Though the gardens look beautiful, it is hoped these gardens and shops will not come too close to the battleground area diverting visitors from our rich history....

 

uhud-park-madinah01.jpg

…the mountain that we love and that loves us has gradually been undergoing a transformation…resulting in the opening of several parks along the foothills and a dramatic, if not eerie, night spectacular…

 

 

…this section is on the far eastern side…

 

uhud-park-madinah04.jpg

 

…where walls and seating features have been hewed from the surrounding warm-toned rocks…

 

 

rimg0015.jpg

 

 

 

uhud-park-madinah06.jpg

 

 

 

 

uhud-park-madinah03.jpg

 

…unfortunately parks here are fenced, gated and locked and are often not open even during times according to signs…the hope of entering on this visit was not written

 

 

…this is a different park, which hugs the foothills heading toward the west…

 

 

uhud-park-madinah1.jpg

 

 

 

uhud-park-madinah4.jpg

 

 

Illuminated At Night

 

uhud-at-night-4.jpg

 

…blazing  waterfalls…

 

 

uhud-at-night-5.jpg

 

…highlighting trees…

 

 

uhud-at-night-6.jpg

 

…enhancing the rock formations and textures…

 

 

...and I (ummitaalib) refuse to post pictures of the shops! See more Here

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Regarding the Destruction of Holy places in the Haramayn

 

Often arguments are heard for and against the destruction of places with historic significance in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. There are those who place great significance on visiting such places while others argue such visits and placing such importance on these places amounts to shirk. The following is an article by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explaining how Muslims from the earliest generations have sought blessings (tabarruk) of individuals, objects, places and times.

 

 

By Faraz Rabbani (Islamica Magazine, Issue 15)

 

EVERY YEAR, Muslim holy sites are destroyed at an alarming pace. What is perhaps more alarming is that some Muslims see no problem with this.

 

Rather, they may even feel that this is a good thing because an “exaggerated emphasis” is placed on the holiness of such sites. This overstated emphasis, they fear, could weaken or cloud sound understanding of the Oneness of God and reliance solely upon Him.

 

However, Muslims from the earliest generations have sought blessings (tabarruk) of individuals, objects, places and times.

 

The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) vied with each other for his hairs, sweat, leftover water from wudu, and objects related to him, as established in rigorously authenticated hadiths.

 

We see this practice in subsequent generations, too. Imam Shafi’i washed a shirt sent to him by Imam Ahmad and drank the water it was washed in (Ibn ‘Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq, 5.312).

 

Imam Shafi’i also would visit the grave of Imam Abu Hanifa and pray there when he had some pressing need and ask God to fulfill that need, which would invariably be fulfilled. (al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad, 1.122)

 

Imam Ahmad made a bequest that he be buried in Bab al-Tibn in the Qati’a cemetery. When asked about this, he responded, “I have strong proof that there is a prophet buried in Qati’a, and I would rather be buried close to a prophet than to my very own father” (Ibn Abi Ya’la, Tabaqat al-Hanabila, 1 . 188).

 

The question arises, then: why this emphasis on the baraka (blessedness) of buildings, relics and individuals? The Qur’an talks about the baraka of certain individuals (such as Jesus), places (such as the Levant), things (such as the olive tree), texts (such the Qur’an), words (such as the greeting of salam, peace), and times (such as Laylat al-Qadr, when the Qur’an was first revealed).

 

Raghib al-Asfahani explains that baraka is “affirming Divinely-placed good in something” (Asfahani, Mufradat Alfadh al-Qur’an, 119).

 

Blessed individuals, objects and places are signs of the Divine. Beautiful in themselves, in meaning or form, they remind us of the Divine – of Divine Beauty, Oneness and of the ways of approaching the Divine.

 

They are a means of remembering God. They awaken us to the reality that the forms of created things have a meaning they are all, in fact, signs of God. As the poet said,

 

In everything there is a sign,

 

Indicating that He is the One

 

God tells us in the Qur’an, “And whosoever venerates the sacred things of God, it shall be better for him with his Lord” (Qur’an 22:32), and, “And whosoever venerates God’s waymarks, that is of the godliness of the hearts” (Qur’an 22:36). Qurtubi explains that the “sacred things of God” (sha ‘a’ir Allah) are the distinguishing signs of His religion (Qurtubi, al-Jami’li Ahkam al-Qur’an, 12.55).

 

This is why Muslims throughout the ages have loved, venerated and sought the blessings of righteous individuals and places of significance, such as mosques, historical sites and the graves of the righteous. It is an expression of the love of God to see and celebrate His signs and to love those things beloved to Him. As the poet said,

 

We see this in the very practice of the Beloved of God, for Ibn ‘Umar relates that, “The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of God be upon him) used to ask for water to be brought from purificationpools. He would drink from this water, seeking the blessing of the hands of Muslims” (Related by Tabarani in alAwsat, 1.243, and Abu Nu’aym in al-Hilya, 8.203; Haythami said in his Majma ‘ al-Zawa ‘id, 1.214, that its chain of transmitters is reliable).

 

In an age of increasing meaninglessness, the loss of these persons and places that remind us of God, and of the ways to approach Him, is unfortunate indeed.

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Attempts to steal the body of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and His Companions

 

First Plot

In the beginning of the fifth century Hijra, the first attempt was unable to transfer bodies of Prophet Muhammad [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] and his two companions from Madina to Egypt. Order was issued by Egyptian Fatami ruler Ba Amrullah. Abul-Fatuh, the governor of Makkah and Madinah, was to carry out this plot. Ba Amrullah was the sixth Obeidi ruler. He was very cruel and a criminal. Daruz of Lebanon still regard him a holy person. May Allah’s curse be upon him.

Ibn Najjar wrote in his book, ‘History of Baghdad’, Ba Amrullah hatched this plot to attract the attention of the world to Egypt and thus allowing the residents of Egypt to gain respect. The ruler spent a lot of money to build an expensive enclosure for this purpose. He sent Abul-Fatuh to Madina to carry out the plan. When Abul Fatuh arrived in Madinah, the residents of Madina came to know about this plot. They gathered aroundhim. Qari Zalbani recited the following verses of the Qur’aan there:

‘But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism, then fight the leaders of disbelief – for surely their oaths are nothing to them – so that they may stop. Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths and intended to expel the messenger while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him if you are believers.’ (al-Tawbah 12-13)

The residents of Madina got very furious and were about to kill Abul-Fatuh and his soldiers. This made Abul-Fatuh scared. He said, ‘I shall never carry out this dirty plan even if the ruler kills me.’ In the meanwhile, a big storm swept through this area that evening. Many houses, animals and people died of this storm. Abul-Fatuh found a good excuse to run away from Madina. Allah saved the Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] and his companions from these criminals.


 

Source: Jamiat, Alinaam.org, others

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Second Plot

Ruler Ba Amrullah hatched a second plot but failed again. Ibn Sa’doon has reported this in his book that Ba Amrullah sent some people to carry out his evil plans. These people started residing in a house near the Prophet’s mosque and started digging an underground tunnel to reach the grave of the Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam].

During this, a fearful lightning struck the area and the following voice was heard, announcing very loudly, ‘Your Prophet’s grave is being dug!’ The residents of Madina rushed out of their houses and started investigating. They got hold of the culprits and killed them all.
 

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Third Plot

It took place in 557H (1164C). Samhoudi reported that the Christians made this plot very carefully to steal the body of the Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam].

There was a very pious ruler of Egypt at that time known as Sultan Nuruddin Zanki. One night after Tahajjud, he saw the prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] in his dream. The Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] was pointing out towards two persons of reddish colour and saying, ‘ ‘ i.e. Save me from these two persons. Nuruddin woke up and was perplexed. He did ablution, performed his Salaat and went back to sleep. He again saw the same dream. He woke up and again offered his Salaat and went to sleep. He saw the same dream the third time. He lost his sleep and described his dreams to his advisor, Jamalud-din al-Musali. The advisor said to him, ‘Why are you sitting here? You should go to Madinah immediately.’ He added, ‘Please do not relate your dream to any other person.’

Nuruddin started his journey towards Madina the next morning. He took twenty persons with him including the advisor. They carrid many expensive gifts with them for charity. They reached Madina in sixteen days. Nuruddin entered the Prophet’s mosque and offered Salaat. Then he did salutation to the Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] and his companions. Nuruddin sat down in the mosque wondering what to do next. The advisor announced, ‘Sultan has brought lots of gifts for charity. These gifts will be distributed among the residents of Madina. Sultan granted a gift to each resident of Madina turn by turn. Sultan looked at each recipient very carefully to match the features with those seen in the dreams. Finally, Sultan enquired, ‘Have all the residents visited me?’ The answer from the residents was, ‘Yes, indeed.’ Sultan said, ‘Are you really sure?’ People said, ‘There are two pious Morrocans who do not accept anything from others. They rather fed the needy very generously. They fast regularly. Offer Tahajjud and offer salutation to the Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] day by night. They also visit Quba mosque once a week.’

Sultan explained, ‘Subhaanallah’. Sultan then ordered that both of them be brought to him. The Moroccans said, ‘We are very rich and don’t need charity.’ On insistence of the Sultan, they were brought to him. Sultan recognised them and asked them, ‘Where do you come from?’ They said, ‘We are Moroccans. We came here for Hajj and wish to stay here as neighbours of Prophet [sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam].’ The Sultan said, ‘Why don’t you speak the truth?’ At that, they kept quite. Sultan enquired about their residence. Their residence was near the Sacred Chambr. Sultan accompanied them to their residence. He found a lot of expensive good lying there. Sultan kept roaming around the house alone till he removed an old piece of rug from the floor of the house. He saw a newly dug underground tunnel there leading to the Sacred Chamber. The men got terrified. Sultan said to them, ‘Now tell me the truth.’ They confessed, ‘We are actually Christians . the King has sent us here as Hajji from Morocco. He gave lot of money to us so that we could remove the body of the Prophet. In order to achieve our goal we started residing in this house nearest to the Sacred Chamber. We dig underground tunnel at night and carry the mud in Moroccan bags to Baqee cemetery and spread the mud around the graves. When we reached near the Sacred Chamber a very fearful lightning struck and an earthquake shook the earth. Now you have arrived and caught us. We confess that we were about to commit the crime.” The Sultan ordered the execution of these criminals. He thanked Allah who chose him to discover the plot.

First two plots were made between 386H and 411H. The third plot took place in 558H. After this third plot, Sultan Nuruddin ordered to dig a deep trench around the Sacred Chamber. He filled this trench with molten lead. In this way, nobody will ever be able to reach the graves through underground tunnels.

It will be appropriate to mention here that the Sultan stayed in a house in Madina called Daar al-Ziaafa and distributed charity to the residents of Madina from this location. This house existed just outside the door known as Baab Umar. This house was included in the Prophet’s Mosque during the second Saudi extension of the Mosque.

The site where the lead was melted was just outside Baab salaam and was known as Saqeefautr rasaas. When Qamash market caught fire on the 18 Rajab 1397H, this house was also burnt in the fire.

The house where the Christians stayed and dug the tunnel was located outside the present window across the Sacred Chamber in the southernmost wall of the mosque.

Ibn Aseer said, ‘Suldan Nuruddin Zanki was a very pious and just ruler.’ (Wifa-ul-Wifa)
 

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