Medina

Declaring The Sacredness Of Medina

Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) declared Medina to be as sacred as Abraham (peace be upon him) had declared Mecca to be. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "What lies between its (Medina's) two lava plains is sacred."

Borders of the Sanctuary of Medina

1. What lies between its two lava plains: The Eastern one, previously known as "Hirrat Waqim", and the Western one, known as "Hirrat Al-Wabrah."

2. Its three small mountains (Tudaru, Umm Khalid and Al-`Aqil or Al-`Aqir) are declared sacred. These mountains overlook Al-`Aqiq Valley on the western side of `Urwah Well (near the Islamic University).

3. Declaring the sacredness of what lies between Thaur and `Air:
* Thaur is a small, red mountain located behind Uhud. Nowadays, the airport road passes behind it.
* `Air is a huge, black mountain located to the southern east of Dhul-Hulaifah (Abyar `Ali). On its western pass runs the Hijrah Highway.

1. Verily, Medina is one of the most beloved places to Allah, the Exalted, because of the following merits: It is the land of His Prophet's migration (peace be upon him), it is his couch, and its people are his neighbors and supporters. Moreover, it is the abode of Faith, for to it returns Faith at the end of time. At its entrances, there are Guardian Angels. Neither Antichrist nor the Plague will be admitted to it. It will be the last city in the world to be ruined. It is the land of receiving Revelation [Wahi]. There is no place in Medina that has not had Qur'anic verses or Prophetic hadith revealed or said therein. It is the Sanctuary of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).

2. Whoever intends evil actions against Medina, Allah will wipe him out just as water dissolves salt. It expels its impious inhabitants. For it Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) made these supplications:
* O Allah! Make Medina as dear to us as You made Mecca dear or more.
* O Allah! Increase in Medina twice the blessing (Thou showered) upon Mecca.
* O Allah! Bless our Medina, bless us in our Sa` and Mudd, and make twice Thy blessing.
* Let him die in Medina who can do so.

Merits Of The Prophet's Mosque

In Islam, the Prophet's Mosque is second in rank with regard to merit and status in Allah's sight. The same applies to the reward for the worshipers and those heading there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Do not undertake a journey, but to one of the three Mosques: the Sacred Mosque, this Mosque of mine, and Al-Aqsa Mosque." It has been narrated that performing Prayers in the Prophet's Mosque is of great merit and reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "A Prayer in this Mosque of mine is a thousand times more excellent than a Prayer in any other mosque except the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca)."

Supplications upon Entering the Mosque

No specific supplication has been reported to be said upon entering the Prophet's Mosque. One should say what is ordinarily said upon entering in any other mosque. One should enter first by his right leg and supplicate saying, "I seek refuge with the Mighty Allah. I seek protection in His Generous Countenance and His Everlasting Authority against the cursed Devil. In the Name of Allah. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his family. O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy to me."

Etiquette Of Visiting The Raudah

A visitor should not raise his voice in the Mosque as a sign of politeness with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Lowering one's voice is also a sign of obedience to the words of the Almighty Allah, "O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not. Of those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger, their hearts has Allah tested for piety: for them is forgiveness and a great reward." Thus, it is a warning to those who raise their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger, that Allah will render their deeds vain and void and will not reward them.

1-This verse has been revealed regarding Thabit bin Qais, who had a strong voice. Out of his true fear of Allah, he remained at home shedding tears and saying, "I raise my voice more than anyone of the Companions in the presence of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). So, I think that this verse has not been revealed for anyone but me." The Messenger (peace be upon him) missed him and sent for him. When the messengers of the Prophet came to Thabit's home, they were informed that he was inside and his tears had not ceased for several days. When they entered his home, he told them that the verse had only been revealed regarding him. Then, he was taken to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) who relieved his worries and gave him the glad tiding that he would enter Paradise.

3-It has been narrated that Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq used to say, "There should be no raising of voices in the presence of a prophet, whether dead or alive."

4- Hearing the sound of a tent peg or a nail being hammered in the neighboring houses, A`ishah dispatched them a messenger saying, "Do not hurt Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him)."

5- `Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) heard two men raising their voices in the Mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him). At this he asked them, "Where do you come from?" They answered, "From Taif." Thereupon he said, "Had you been from Medina, I would have punished you. No voice should be raised in this Mosque of ours."

The Prophet's Grave

1- When the visitor finishes the greeting rak`ahs, he should go to the Honored Apartment, face the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and greet him, saying, "Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. Peace be upon you, O the dearest one to Allah. Peace be upon you, O the best of His creation. I bear witness that you indeed have delivered the message (of Allah), discharged your trust, advised the Muslim community, and strived hard in the cause of Allah until there came unto you the Hour that is certain."

2. Then, he takes a step to the right and greets Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq saying, "Peace be upon you, O Abu Bakr. Peace be upon you, O Second of the two who were in the Cave. Peace be upon you, O Successor of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him)."

3. Then, he takes another step to the right and greets Al-Faruq `Umar saying, "Peace be upon you, O Emir of the Believers. Peace be upon you, O Abu Hafs. Peace be upon you, O Eliminator of Sedition."

4. Then, he faces the Qiblah, with his back to the Honored Apartment, and while leaving a place for others, invokes Allah for his welfare both in this world and in the Hereafter.

The Quba` Mosque

1- It was the first mosque to be built in Medina. Allah, the Exalted, praised this Mosque and those who maintained it, "There is a Mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on Piety; it is more worthy of thy standing forth [for Prayer] therein. In it are men who love to be purified, and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure." Thereupon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to them, "What is the good thing you are performing in this Mosque that Allah has so highly praised you?" They said, "We use both stone and water for purification."

2.It has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to ride his camel and visit Quba' every Saturday and Monday. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever performs ablution at home, then comes to Quba' Mosque to perform Prayer therein, will get the reward as for `Umrah."

3.It has also been reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever prays in Quba' Mosque on Monday and Thursday is given the reward as for `Umrah."

Baqi` Of Al-Gharqad

1- The term "Baqi`" signifies soft land void of stones. This is the sort of land in which graves are commonly dug. Medina has several places of that sort, such as: Baqi` of Al-Zubair, Baqi` of Al-Khail, and others.

Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) went out frequently at night to visit Baqi` Al-Gharqad and to pray for its dwellers. He used to say, "Peace be upon you, O abode of Believers" or "Peace be upon the believing men and women dwelling here. May Allah grant mercy to those from among us who passed away and those who are to come after us. Certainly, Allah willing, we will join you."

2- It has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "I am the first person for whom the earth will split asunder on the Day of Judgment. This means that I am the first to be resurrected. Then, I, Abu Bakr and `Umar will head for the people of Baqi` who will be resurrected and followed by the people of Mecca. Thereupon, I will be resurrected between the Two Mosques.

About ten thousand Companions have been buried in Medina.

Supplications upon Visiting Baqi`

It is preferable for the visitor to give greetings of peace to dwellers of the graves, each according to his burial place. He, also, should increase his recitation of the Qur'an, remembrance of the Almighty Allah, and the supplications for Dwellers of the graves and all the dead Muslims as well.

Some invocations have been attributed to the Prophet, such as the following:

1. "Peace be upon you, O abode of Believers. What you were promised will verily come to you at a fixed time. We shall, Allah willing, join you. O Allah! Grant forgiveness to those who are buried in Baqi` of Al-Gharqad."

2. "Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves. May the Almighty Allah forgive us and you all. You are our forerunners and we shall certainly join you."

3. "Peace be upon you, O abode of Believers. You are our forerunners and we will surely join you. O Allah! Do not deprive us of the reward of (supplicating for) them, nor lead us astray after them."