Medinah Munawarah Location: Owing to the vast expansion of the country, which is about 72% of the Arab Peninsula, a diversity of climates and regions emerged. To the coastal line of the Red Sea, stretches Tihamah plain from Al.Aqabah Bay down to Yemen. Next to it stretch the Red Sea mountains and push inward reaching the central heights of Najd, Hasamah, Hijaz, and Aseer, where there are some flat chain of highs and some isolated slippery hills in addition to some volcanic plains, oasis and valleys.
As you push eastward across Najd sedimentary hills, the ground level drops down in the very center of the country, where in some places this slipperiness penetrated by some steep heights to the westward. To the North extends (Nufud) basin forming the northern part of the country, which is mainly covered with sand hills forming ( Nufud proper desert) which runs southward until it becomes a narrow belt called (Dahana) in (Rube-Khaly desert, which is the largest desert ever in the whole world. Driving towards the east, a frequent steep range runs across to the Arab Gulf.
Within this, lies Medinah Munawarah to the North West center, where it covers a wide area between 36.30.42.15c longitude and 22.30 and 27.30. Latitude. Which is estimated by 153.8 thousand km equal to 6.72% of the total area.
MASJID-E-NABAVI
Visiting the Prophet's Mosque:
- Pilgrim can go to Madeenah before or after the Hajj with the intention of visiting the Prophet's mosque and praying in it. Prayer there is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah.
- Upon reaching the Mosque, he should pray two Raka'at of salutation or perform any obligatory prayer that is due.
- He then should go to the grave of the Prophet (saws) and stand before it. He should send his greeting on him, saying: “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allaah be upon you, O Prophet.
The visit to the Shrine of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is highly recommended, especially for the hajies. A tradition says a person while coming to Hajj and not visiting the Shrine of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has done great injustice to himself. After entering the limits of Madina, one should first take a shower (Ghusl), wear clean clothes and put up some scent (perfume) and visit the Shrine of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) from the side of the Gate of gabrael and seek permission to enter by reciting the Sallam.
Religious Reverence: The town owes its religious reverence to the Prophet Mosque, which is visited by millions of Moslems every year from all over the universe, the thing that gave it an ever-lasting importance. It is no doubt the religious importance to the whole Moslem world. Medinah is said to be four-dimensioned location, only resembled by Holly Mecca and Holly Qudds, as any other spot in the universe is only two-dimensioned i.e. as time and place are the major criteria in determining location. But in the case of Medinah, two more dimensions are added, which are the relations with God through Revelation (Archangel) and its relation with the Paradise promised by Almighty Allah for his pious worshipers, where as there is great simile in terms of (mount UHUD) and the ( Holly Rawdha) as they are part of the Paradise as approved in the ( Book of stories)about the Prophet, prayers and peace be upon him.
Another thing that added more significance and reverence to it, which is a blessing that includes every thing ranging from soil, animals, plants and other things within the borders of the Holly Mosque. In addition to this the Prophet had advised people to dwell it. Owing to this, all ever since the Prophet's migration (Hijra) 1400 years ago, the town has been enjoying a very special posture.
Location Significance:
Owing to its central location to the Islamic world and even before Islam Period, Medinah has had its significance as a trade center in olden days (Bakhour Route), which joins the south of Arabia with Sham. This location has had enough water resources, fertile soil and the natural fortification. With 25 years of Islam spread, Medinah has drastically developed from a trade center to a political Capital of vast country, extending from Persia in the east to Egypt in the west. Though the political transformation that took place during the Khalifas' Period and moving of the Political Capital to (Kufa) and (Damascus) afterwards and (Baghdad), but still it maintained that religious reverence as it is the sacred land visited by people.
One more emphasis on the significance of Medinah was the Ottoman Empire, which connected it to Sham, the thing that helped economy flourish. But with the 1st world war breakout and the so much damage that happened in 1914-1917 the town lost much of its glimmer. This depression continued until the establishment of the Saudi Kingdom in 1351 H, when it all began to flourish again and owing not only to its location but also to the so much finance pumped in development scheme in the past decades.
Further more, to the other regions, Medinah is mesh connected in various ways. Worth mentioning it is found that Medinah tops all other towns in the kingdom in terms of communication. It is also noted that Medinah is not only regionally connected but also internationally to Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Arab Gulf countries. A top of this the sacred relation that binds it to Holly Mecca ever since the rise of Islam.
Medinah also plays a major economic role as it contains some industry activities of small scale in addition to gold mining. Besides, Medinah witnesses a massive shopping force on Haj and Umrah times adding to the economic power in the region in particular and the kingdom in general
Significance: For several religious, strategic and economic considerations, the area is highly significant and holy place.
OUTSIDE ZIYARAT IN MADINA AL MUNAWARA
MASJID SHAMS
It is narrated that the Prophet (pbuh&hf) fell asleep on the lap of Imam Ali (as) just before Duhor/noon time till nearly (Maghri) sunset.
Imam Ali said his Duhor and Asar afternoon Salaat prayer sitting down. Near the time of Maghrib, the Prophet woke up and pointed his finger at the setting sun, which came up and the Prophet prayed his Duhor and Ssar Salaat.
MASJID QIBLATAYN
The previous Qibla was Bait-ul-Muqaddas. The Jews used to taunt the Holy Prophet because the Muslims first turned towards Jerusalem for their prayers. One day when the Prophet of Allah was leading the Salaat Duhor, a revelation came to him after the second (Rakaat) prostration to change his direction of salaat, from Bait-ul-Muqaddas to the Ka'aba.
MASJID QUBA
This was the first Masjid that the Prophet of Allah built on his arrival from Makkah. It is narrated that the Prophet of Allah was heard saying that if you say two Rakaats Salaat in this Masjid you will get the (Thawab) reward of one Umra/small pilgrimage.
SABA MASJIDS
This was the place where the battlefield of Khandaq was fought and these masjids were erected thereafter. There are 5 Masjid near each other. The name Khandaq was given because Salman Farsi dug a very big trench during this battle so that the army of the non-believers could not jump over the trench. This was the battle strategy used in Iran where Salaman Farsi's native country.
MASJID FATAH
This Masjid is situated on the hilltop. It is narrated that the Prophet of Islam stayed (in this tent) for three days in his tent and prayed for the success of the Muslims.
MASJID SALMAN FARSI
This Masjid is just at the bottom of Masjid Fatah. It is said that at this Masjid the tent of Salaman Farsi was erected.
MASJID ALI
This Masjid is on the hill opposite to Masjid Fatah.
MASJID FATIMAH ZAHRA
This Masjid is at the bottom of Masjid Ali that was used by Fatimah Zahra. Unfortunately this Masjid is closed since 1997 and there is only door with plaster.
UHUD: HAMZA
The lion of Allah, Hamza the uncle of the Prophet of Islam is buried with many martyrs of Uhud here. The Prophet was heard saying that whoever does his Ziyarat and does not do the Ziyarat of his uncle Hamza has been unfaithful to the Prophet. This is the place where the second Islamic war took place. At the beginning of this war the Muslims were winning, but a group of archers who were stationed at the entrance of the mountain to block the army of unbelievers, left their position to go and loot the belongings of the running away soldiers of the unbelievers, in spite of strict instructions not to leave their position, thus the battle was almost lost. It is also narrated during this battle Jibra'el brought the sword ‘Zulfiqar' from heaven because Imam Ali had broken many swords.
: 
: 
: 
