History of Madinah Munawwarah (Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri)

Publisher's Foreword

There is no Muslim of true faith who does not feel himself called at all times by an overwhelming desire to visit the City of Allah's Messenger and there is no Muslim whose love for Al-Madinah does not fill his heart, infuse his blood, his flesh and his bones. And the love of the Muslims for Al Madinah is not surprising, since the Prophet (S) encouraged it, saying:

"O Allah! Make Al-Madinah beloved to us, as we love Makkah -or more."

And Al-Madinah is still one of the most beloved places on earth - if not the most beloved in the heart of every Muslim, in response to this fine call.And Al-Madinah was the place to which Allah's Messenger emigrated and it gave him refuge, embraced his preaching and supported his religion, and its people defended him with their lives, their wealth and their sons until Allah made him victorious. So, Al-Madinah possesses virtues which are well known and an influence which none disputes in supporting this religion.

And the land of Al-Madinah contains his pure remains and its ennoblement is increased thereby and it includes his Mosque, by which its purity is increased and its station is raised by them both and it is elevated in esteem, honor and love in the hearts of the Muslims. And all of Al-Madinah is superior, for therein deeds are multiplied (in reward) and prayer therein is equivalent to a thousand prayers in any other mosque, except the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah). And at the gates of Al-Madinah are angels, so neither plague nor Ad-Dajjal can enter it. And in it there is a Garden from the Gardens of Paradise, and a believer who dies in Al-Madinah, will be included in the intercession of the Messenger on a Day when neither wealth nor sons will avail.

And the Prophet (S) declared it inviolable, just as Abraham declared Makkah inviolable. And because it is good, it removes the evil ones from within itself, just as bellows remove the impurities from iron, for verily, Allah defends them, so whoever causes them to fear through injustice, Allah will cause him to fear and Allah's curse will be upon him. And it has been called Tabah and likewise, Taibah and so all that is in it is Tayyib (good): its land, its air, its dates, its Mudd and its Sa' (measures of weight), life therein and death therein. And before all of this, the Mosque of Allah's Messenger and his resting place.

And from the starting-point of the high rank, elevated position and lofty standing of Al-Madinah with Allah the Most High, His Messenger (S) and all of the Muslims, we present this book as a work purely and sincerely for Allah and a true expression of our love for the City of the Messenger. And the reader will find in it - Allah willing - abundant facts about the City of the Messenger in spite of its brevity.

And we have taken care to present the most reliable narrations and the most authentic Ahadith. If we are right, it is from Allah and a part of His Grace and Mercy and we think naught of Allah except good.

And may peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions and those who follow them with Ihsan until the Day of Recompense.

Table of ContentsPublisher's ForewordAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and its Names and Ancient History--- The Foundation of Yathrib--- The First Inhabitants of Yathrib--- The Names of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah
Virtues of Al-Madinah Al-MunawwarahThe Love of the Messenger for Al-Madinah and His Declaration of its Inviolability--- The Inviolability of AI-Madinah--- Mount 'Ayr--- Mount Thawr
Events that took place prior to the Migration of the Prophet (S)--- The First Pledge of Allegiance at Al-'Aqabah--- A1-Mu'allim (the Teacher)--- The Second Pledge of Allegiance at Al-Aqabah
The Story of the Prophet's Migration to Al-Madinah--- The Departure--- The Arrival in the Center ofAl-Madinah
Settling into Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and the Brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar--- The First Birth following the Hijrah--- The Adhan (Call to Prayer)The Appearance of the Munafiqun (the Hypocrites) and the Jews and the Position of the Muslims in relation to Them--- The Appearance of Hypocrisy
The Expulsion of the Jews from Al-Madinah--- Getting rid of Banu Qainuqa--- BanuAn-Nadir--- Banu Quraizah
The Building of the Prophet's Mosque and its History throughout the Ages--- The Prophetic Age--- The First Expansion--- During the Time of Abu Bakr--- During the Time of 'Umar:--- During the Time of 'Utlunan.--- During the Time of Al-Walid bin 'Abdul-Malik--- During the Time of Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid 161-165 AH--- During the Time of Quaitbay 886-888 AH--- During the Time of Sultan 'Abdul-Majeed 1260-1277AH
The Prophet's Mosque during the Saudi Era--- The First Saudi Expansion and Rebuilding--- A Description of the Building--- The Shelters built by King Faisal--- The Second Saudi Expansion 1405-1414 AH (1984-1994)
A Description of the Building--- The Open Areas of the Mosque------ They have no Equal in History--- The Pulpit and the Mihrab inside the Mosque--- The History of the Pulpit--- What the Prophet said about the Pulpit--- The Prophet's Mihrab
The Virtue of the Prophet's Mosque and offering Prayer in it and the Manners required when visiting it--- Prayer in the Additions which have been made to the Mosque--- The Ruling on Prayer in the Open Spaces--- The required Manner of visiting the Prophet's Mosque--- A Journey may be under taken to it
The Prophet's Grave and the Lawful Manner of Visiting it--- Visiting the Grave of the Prophet
Quba' Mosque--- The Virtue of Quba' MosqueOther Historic Mosques in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah--- Al-Ijabah Mosque--- AI-Jumu'ah Mosque--- Al-Qiblatain Mosque--- The Mosque of Banu Harithah (Masjid Al-Mustarah)--- Al-Fath Mosque--- Al-Migat Mosque--- Al-Musalla Mosque--- Al-Fash Mosque
Mount UhudAl-Baqi--- The Virtue of Al-Baqi'--- Expansion of Al-Baqi' during the Saudi Era--- --- The First Expansion--- --- The Second Expansion
Darul-Hadith School in Al-Madinah Al-MunawwarahThe Islamic University of Al-Madinah Al-MunawwarahCharitable Organizations in Al-Madinah AI-Munawwarah--- Jam'iyatul-Birr -Charitable Organizations for Women
Libraries in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah--- Al-MaktabahAl-Mahmudiyah--- Maktabah'Arif Hikmat--- Maktabah Al-Masjid An-Nabawi--- Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Public Library
King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Noble Qur'an--- The Printing of the Meanings of the Qur'an
Sources and References