Medina is considered the second holiest city in Islam after the Mecca. The Prophet's Mosque built by the Prophet is located here. The Prophet's Mosque is built in 622, and this mosque is still considered one of the largest mosques in the world. The first mosque of Islam, Quba Mosque, is also located in the same city.
Before the advent of Islam, the Median was called Yathrib. The city was famous for its commercial and geographical importance. It had mountains, plains, oases, and gold, silver, and copper mines.
According to the Saudi tourism website 'Visit Saudi', Muslims and foreigners can visit the tourist attractions of Medina, without any restrictions. Medina’s historical places include the important Jabal Uhud, Jabal Al-Rama (Archers Hill), Jabal Noor, and Jabal Dhubab. All these places have religious importance. There are also several museums located in Medina where you can look at the history of the city.
Quba Mosque
Quba mosque is the first mosque of Islam, and it is just three and a half kilometers from the Prophet's Mosque, founded by the Prophet himself. It is believed that the Prophet spent four days in Quba before entering Medina, and Muslims believe that the reward of going to Quba Mosque is one Umrah.
People visit it for its unique architecture and historical significance. It has four forty-seven-meter-high minarets with a white dome. Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz attributed the first construction of the mosque.
Hejaz Railway
The Hejaz Railway was built in 1900. It connects Damascus to Medina. In 1908, it began operation and continued operating until the First World War in 1916. However, it was damaged during the war.
It is one of the oldest trading posts in Al-Ula, about three and a half hours from Medina.
The Madain Saleh or Al-Hajar Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, near the Hejaz Railway Station home to the remains of the Nabataean Empire from the 1st century.
Open to tourists the site contains 111 tombs, while ancient cave paintings are found in the caves.
Palace of Urwa bin Al-Zubayr
The place is one of the landmarks of the early Islamic era built in the first Hijri. It is about three and a half kilometers from the Prophet's Mosque.
It is built of stones with a layer of mud and plaster. Some floors are covered with brick tiles and volcanic stone.
There are three large gardens, old-fashioned rooms, kitchens, and a well, believed to have been used by travelers coming from Mecca to drink water.
Qiblatain Mosque
Qiblatain Mosque is located in the Banu Salama area of Medina. It is said that the command to change the direction of the Qiblah was given in this mosque during prayers in the second Hijri.
The Prophet of Islam and his companions turned their faces towards the Kaaba in Mecca instead of Jerusalem during prayers. Since the same prayer was offered in this mosque facing two different Qiblahs, it is called the ‘Masjid Qiblatin’. Qiblatain means the mosque with two Qiblahs.
The inner part of the mosque is domed, while the mihrab of the outer part faces north. It was rebuilt during the period of the Ottoman Empire. The renovation work was done during the reign of Saudi King Fahd bin Abdulaziz.
Al-Bin Dam and Khaybar
There are several archaeological remains in Khyber where the visitors must stop and contemplate. Although historical accounts differ about how the Al-Bin Dam was built, this does not detract from the dam’s grandeur.
Al-Bin Dam, also known as the Sahba Dam. It is believed to have been built 3,000 years ago during the Shaybah period. The dam is similar to the Yemen Marib Dam. Its strong cliffs separate the Khyber Hot springs from the dam’s waters on the other side.
You will feel how small you are compared to the vastness of the dam, standing in front of the dam. It is 50 meters high, 250 meters long and 10 meters wide.
There are date palms and other fruit trees. The area around the dam is different from other areas. What will catch your attention, the structure of the dam is that it does not have gates to release water, and its steps are made of stone which people would have used to descend from the dam, or it could be a way to measure the water. Part of this dam has collapsed.
The road leading to the dam is paved which makes it easy for vehicles to access.
Mosque of Ali
The Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque is a place for pilgrims in Medina that reflects Islamic cultural heritage in the area of Masjid Fateh.
The mosque was built between 706 and 712 and was last renovated in 1990 during the reign of King Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
It has seven domes. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad performed Eid prayers at this place, and after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Ali also performed Eid prayers here.
Jannat al-Baqi
In Medina, Jannat al-Baqi is the oldest Islamic cemetery. The companions, the family members of the Prophet, and many other personalities are buried here. Baqi is the name given to a place where wild trees and plants are found.
The cemetery has three entrances one on each side of the north, east, and west sides.
In the last expansion of the Prophet's Mosque, the houses between the cemetery and the Prophet's Mosque were demolished. The Baqi cemetery is now connected to the outer courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque on the eastern side of the Prophet's Mosque.
For more interesting article click the link: Islamic History
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