Medina: Top Six Must-See Destinations of Islam's Second-Holiest City
Medina is a city of faith, history and beauty. It is the city where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to from Makkah and established the first Islamic community. It is the second most sacred city in Islam, after Mecca, and the final resting place of the beloved Prophet (PBUH) and his companions.
Medina has many landmarks and attractions that reflect its rich heritage and spiritual significance. Millions of pilgrims and visitors flock to the city every year to experience its charm and blessings. Here are some of the top places to visit in Medina:
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi:
Masjid An Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque, is a sacred sanctuary for Muslims in the holy city of Medina. It is the second most revered mosque in Islam, after Masjid al-Haram, and it welcomes hundreds of thousands of faithful visitors every year. The mosque was founded by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself when he arrived in Medina in 622 AD. It is the second-largest mosque in the world, and it has been expanded several times over the centuries to accommodate the growing number of worshippers.
The mosque is also the final resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose tomb is covered by a green dome that stands out among the white marble minarets. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to pay their respects and seek his blessings.
Baqi Cemetery
Jannatul Baqi, the Garden of Heaven, is the most sacred and renowned cemetery in the Islamic world. It lies to the southeast of the Prophet's Mosque, where it receives throngs of Muslim pilgrims every morning after the dawn prayers. The gates of Baqi are only open for a few hours, and the visitors rush to pay their homage to the buried saints. Baqi is the main graveyard for the people of Medina since the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and it holds the graves of many of his family and companions.
Baqi is also the resting place of four infallible imams, Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba, Imam Ali Zain al-Abidin, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and Imam Jaafar al-Sadiq, peace be upon them. Their tombs used to have shrines, but they were demolished and now there is no sign of them.
Nearby, there are the ruins of the House of Sorrows, where Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, may God's peace be upon her, used to come and cry over her father's death.
Quba Mosque
This is the first mosque in the history of Islam, built by Prophet Muhammad when he arrived in Madinah. It is located about 6 km from the city center and has a distinctive white dome.
Masjid Quba has a special significance in Islam, as it is mentioned in the Quran and the hadiths. Praying two rakats in this mosque is equivalent to performing one Umrah, according to a narration by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The mosque is also the site where the first Friday prayer was held. The mosque has a distinctive white dome and several minarets, and it has been renovated and expanded several times over the centuries.
Masjid Quba attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors every year, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a place of worship and learning, where one can feel the spiritual connection with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions who are buried nearby. It is also a place of history, where one can witness the legacy of Islam and its early days.
Masjid al-Qiblatayn
Masjid al-Qiblatain is a historic and sacred mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the revelation to change the direction of prayer (qibla) from al-Quds to Mecca. It is one of the three oldest mosques in Islam, and it has a unique feature of having two prayer mihrabs, one facing each qibla. It is also the site where the first Friday prayer was held after the migration from Mecca to Medina.
Masjid al-Qiblatain was built in the second year of Hijra (623/624 CE). It was later renovated and expanded by different rulers and caliphs over the centuries. The mosque has a distinctive white dome and several minarets, and it can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The mosque is located about three kilometres from the Prophet's Mosque, and it attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors every year.
Masjid al-Qiblatain is important in Islam, as it marks a turning point in the history and identity of Muslims. The change of qibla was a sign of Allah's favour and guidance for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers, and it also distinguished them from the Jews and Christians who prayed towards Jerusalem. The change of qibla was mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 144.
Mount Uhud
Located about 5 km from Medina, Mount Uhud is a mountain that overlooks the city. It is a witness to one of the most significant battles in Islamic history, the Battle of Uhud, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions fought against the Quraysh of Mecca in 625 CE (3 AH). It is also the burial place of 70 martyrs, including Hamza, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Mount Uhud is a place of pilgrimage and learning for Muslims, who visit it to pay their respects to the heroes of Islam and to reflect on the lessons of the battle. The battle taught Muslims about the importance of obedience, patience, courage and trust in Allah. It also showed them the consequences of greed, pride and disobedience. The battle was a test for the believers, and a turning point in the history of Islam.
Miqat Mosque
Miqat Mosque is a mosque where pilgrims who intend to perform Hajj or Umrah enter into the state of ihram, a state of consecration and purity. It is also known as Dhul Hulayfah Mosque, Aaba Ali Mosque, or the Mosque of al-Shajarah. It is located at the western side of al-Aqeeq Valley, about 12 kilometers from the Prophet's Mosque.
Miqat Mosque has a distinctive white dome and several minarets, and it can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers. It has a courtyard with four covered halls, the largest being on the qibla side facing Makkah. It is about 25 meters high.
Miqat Mosque is important in Islam, as it marks the beginning of the spiritual journey of Hajj or Umrah for pilgrims coming from or passing through Madinah. It is a place where pilgrims make their intention, wear their ihram garments, perform prayers and supplications, and seek Allah's forgiveness and guidance. It is a place where pilgrims prepare themselves physically, mentally and spiritually for the sacred rites of Hajj or Umrah.
By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas
