Madina (also spelled Medina), located in western Saudi Arabia, is a city deeply cherished by Muslims around the world. Known as “Al-Madina Al-Munawwara” (The Enlightened City) and “The City of the Prophet,” Madina holds a special place in Islamic history as the destination of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) migration and the foundation of the first Islamic community.
Madina’s history predates Islam and is connected to various Arab tribes, notably the Aws and Khazraj. The city was originally known as Yathrib, a center for agriculture due to its fertile soil and abundant date palm groves. These tribes had long-standing rivalries and conflicts, leading to a divided society.
In 622 CE, after enduring years of persecution in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers emigrated to Yathrib, a migration known as the Hijra. The people of Yathrib welcomed the Prophet, and he played a crucial role in mediating peace between the Aws and Khazraj tribes. With the Prophet’s arrival, Yathrib came to be known as “Al-Madina Al-Munawwara.”
In Madina, the Prophet established the first Islamic community based on principles of justice, faith, and unity. One of his earliest actions was building the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid An-Nabawi), which served as a place of worship, governance, education, and social gathering for the community. This era marks the start of the Islamic calendar and the foundation of the Islamic state.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) drafted the “Constitution of Madina,” a remarkable document that unified the city’s diverse population, including Muslims, Jews, and pagans. The constitution promoted mutual protection, justice, and the rights of all citizens, making Madina the first Islamic society where people of different faiths coexisted peacefully under a single set of laws.
Madina became the base of the Muslim community and faced multiple threats from the Quraysh of Makkah, resulting in notable battles, including the Battle of Badr (624 CE), the Battle of Uhud (625 CE), and the Battle of the Trench (627 CE). These battles were essential in securing Madina’s safety and strengthening the unity and resolve of the Muslim community.
After ten years in Madina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed away in 632 CE and was buried within the Prophet’s Mosque. His burial site became a place of deep reverence for Muslims, and Madina has since been a significant destination for Muslims visiting the Prophet’s grave.
Following the Prophet’s passing, Madina continued as the capital of the Islamic Caliphate during the Rashidun period (the first four caliphs). It was a time of expansion and consolidation of Islam. However, during the Umayyad period, the caliphate’s capital moved to Damascus, and later to Baghdad under the Abbasids, though Madina retained its spiritual prominence.
In the 16th century, Madina came under Ottoman control. The Ottomans preserved the sanctity of the Prophet’s Mosque, expanded its structure, and provided maintenance to the city. The Ottomans took great pride in caring for the holy cities of Makkah and Madina and invested heavily in pilgrimage routes, especially the Hejaz Railway.
In the early 20th century, Madina became part of the newly established Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under Saudi rule, Madina has experienced major expansions of the Prophet’s Mosque to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. Infrastructure and amenities have also been modernized to ensure comfort for visitors, as millions of Muslims visit Madina each year for worship, particularly after performing Hajj in nearby Makkah.
Today, Madina is a flourishing city, blending modernity with its rich historical and religious heritage. It remains the second holiest city in Islam, revered as the resting place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the birthplace of the first Islamic society. The Prophet’s Mosque and other historical sites continue to be cherished places for reflection, learning, and spiritual connection for Muslims worldwide.