Medina’s Excellence

Allah has given excellence to some people over others. He says:

Meaning: See how We have exalted some of them above the others! And surely, the Hereafter (as compared to this world) is far greater in degrees and in terms of superiority (as well). (17:21)

Just like Allah has granted excellence to Friday over all the days, Shab-e-Qadar over all the nights, Ramadan over all the months, similarly Allah has honoured Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) over all the humans. Moreover, He has honoured everything which is related to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) for instance his sacred clothing, the food he loved and especially the place where he migrated with his Companions distressed from the immoral acts of the disbelievers and for his and his Companions’ safety. Where he laid the foundation of Islam, made the first capital of Islamic world and spent the last ten years of his life.

Islam spread and strengthened in Medina

Yes! Medina is the city from where Islam spread and strengthened. This is the city whose dwellers stayed with Prophet Mohammad at every step and did not hesitate even to sacrifice their lives for the Prophet (pbuh). On this basis Allah gave them the title of “Ansar” (the helpers) and praised them in various verses of Holy Quran. Allah says:

Meaning: (These spoils are for those Ansar [Supporters] as well) who had taken the city (of Medina) and the faith as their home before (the migrants came). They love those who have come to them as migrants, and do not feel any need (or niggardly feeling) in their hearts pertaining to that (wealth) which is given to the migrants, and prefer them to themselves, even though they may themselves be in dire need. And he who is saved from the miserliness of his (ill-commanding) self, it is they who are successful and victorious. (59:9)

Here it is notable that before the sacred birth of Prophet Mohammad the entire earth was equal. The places to worship were fixed but Allah purified the earth for his beloved Prophet Mohammad so that he and his Ummah could worship anywhere and anytime. The land where Prophet Mohammad was born and the land which was his permanent residence, Allah granted excellence to both over entire earth. There are numerous Hadiths about the sacredness and excellence of Madinah.

Medina old names

Tayyaba and Tabah

Prophet Mohammad granted names like “Tayyaba” and “Tabah” to Medina.

Other names

In Torah, 10 names of Medina have been mentioned which are:

Tayyaba, Tabah, Marhooma, Miskeena, Uzrah, Jabirah, Majboorah, Qasimah and Mehboobah. (Subul al-huda wa al-rashad, Shams al-Din Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Salihi al-Shami, vol 3, page 295), (Wafa Al-Wafa, Imam Ali Samhudi, Nur al Din vol 1, page 26)

Whereas Yaqut al-Hamawi has mentioned 29 names of Medina. (Hamawi, Mu’jam ul-Buldan, vol 5, page 83)

Supplication of Prophet Mohammad for abundance in the fruitlets and gardens of Medina

Prophet Mohammad used to supplicate for the abundance and protection of the goods of Madinah Munawara. It is narrated from Abu Hurrairah, “When the first fruit of any garden grew, people used to bring it to Prophet Mohammad. He would take the fruit in his hands and pray:

Dua for Medina
“O Allah! Bless our fruits, our city, our Sa and Mudd (measuring vessels) with abundance. O Allah! Prophet Abraham was Your slave, Your friend and Prophet. Verily, he prayed for Makkah and I will pray for Madina Sharif rather more than that i.e. safety from epidemics.”

When Prophet Mohammad and his Companions migrated to Madinah, Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) and Bilal ibn Rabah (ra) caught fever due to change in atmosphere. It weakened the dwellers of Medina. On this occasion Prophet Mohammad prayed for the protection of people from the diseases and for sound atmosphere.

• When Prophet Mohammad reached Medina, Abu Bakr Siddiq and Bilal ibn Rabbah became ill. When Abu Bakr’s fever got worse, Prophet Mohammad said, ‘O Allah! Make us love Medina as we love Makkah or even more than that. Make the climate of Medina suitable for us, and divert its fever towards Aljuhfa’.” (Bukhari 1889)

Aisha (ra)
Prophet Mohammad said, “I saw (in a dream) a black woman with unkempt hair going out of Madinah and settling in Mahai’a. I interpreted that as (a symbol of) epidemic of Madinah being transferred to Mahai’a (another name for Aljuhfa).” (Sahih Bukhari 7040)

Abdullah ibn Umar (ra)

Prophet Mohammad’s love for Madinah

Prophet Mohammad loved Medina very much. When Prophet Mohammad returned to Madinah Pak from a journey and saw its high places, he would make his ride go fast due to the love of this city. Not only did he love Medina but Medina and its mountains also loved Prophet Mohammad. Anas ibn Malik says:

Whenever Prophet Mohammad returned from a journey, he, on seeing the high places of Medina, would make his she-camel proceed faster. And if it were another animal, he used to make it proceed faster. All that was due to the love of Medina. (Bukhari 1802)

Anas ibn Malik
“When Prophet Mohammad saw the mountain of Uhud, he said, ‘This mountain loves us and we love it’.” (Bukhari 1481)

Anas ibn Malik

The exegetists have two opinions regarding the Hadith ‘This mountain loves us and we love it’:

Opinions

• This Hadith metaphorically refers to Medina and its dwellers i.e. they who believe in the Oneness of Allah, love the Prophet and he loves them.
• The meaning of this Hadith is literal. This is because sometimes Allah bestows knowledge and wisdom, love and hatred into non-living things too. For instance, Prophet Mohammad used to give sermon while resting on a pillar. When the pulpit got ready and he started giving sermon on the pulpit, the pillar started crying due to the grief of separation from the Prophet.

In short, whether the Hadith is metaphorical or literal, it refers to the excellence and honour of Medina. If it is related literally then it proves that the mountain of Uhud loved Prophet Mohammad and his sacred Companions and they loved the mountain of Uhud. And if it is metaphorically related to the people of Medina then it proves that people of Medina loved Prophet Mohammad and his Companions and they loved the people of Medina. If Prophet Mohammad loved the people of Medina, then the people of Medina are exalted and if the residents are exalted, the home is exalted too. Therefore it proves Medina’s excellence.

Honour of Madina Sharif

Just like Makkah, Prophet Mohammad honoured Medina. He banned hunting in the territory of Medina. He even declared to seize the clothes of whoever hunts in the territory of Medina. Also, he prohibited to cut not only the fruited trees but also the thorny trees. The sacred Companions acted upon it strictly. Whoever goes against the dignity of Medina, Allah rejects his every devotion. Hence, the honour of Medina is so exalted that we cannot imagine.

A Companion Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas caught a slave hunting in Medina and seized his clothes. His master came and asked for the clothes which Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas refused by relating the saying of Prophet Mohammad:

 مَنْ وَجَدَ أَحَدًا يَصِيدُ فِيهِ فَلْيَسْلُبْهُ.

Meaning: If anyone catches someone hunting (in Madina) he should take away from him his clothes.

The relevant Hadith is stated below.

• Sulayman ibn Abu Abdullah narrated that he saw that Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas seized a slave hunting in the sacred territory of Madina. He took away the slave’s clothes. The slave’s master came to Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and spoke to him about it, but he replied that Prophet Mohammad declared this territory to be sacred, saying: “If anyone catches someone hunting in it he should take away from him his clothes”. So I shall not return to you a provision which the Prophet Mohammad has given me, but if you wish I shall pay you its price. (Abu Dawood 2037)

Another hadith

Ibrahim at-Taimi’s, father narrated: Ali addressed us that Prophet Mohammad said “Medina is a sanctuary from Ayr Mountain to Thowr Mountain. So whoever innovates in it a heresy or commits a sin therein, he will incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all the people. Allah will not accept his compulsory or optional good deeds.” (Bukhari 7300)

Prophet Mohammad also said:

“I have declared sacred the territory between the two lava plains of Medina. So its trees should not be cut down nor its prey be killed.” (Sahih Muslim 3318)

Prophet Mohammad

Order of Allah to migrate towards Medina

Prophet Mohammad was at such level of submission and surrender to Allah’s will that no one can reach there. One thing should be clear that he did not migrate due to the evil of people of Makkah but by the order of Allah. If it was not Allah’s order, the Prophet had not migrated even if the people of Makkah had reached the height of brutality. Allah ordered Prophet Mohammad to migrate to a city whose dwellers were weaker than other cities of Arab. However, due to the benediction of arrival and stay of Prophet Mohammad in Medina, it overpowered the other cities.

Prophet Mohammad said:

“I have been commanded (to migrate) to a town (Medina) which would overpower other towns. They (the people) call it Yathrib; its correct name is (in fact) Medina.” (Bukhari 1871, Muslim 3353)

Prophet Mohammad

The reward of praying in the sanctuary of Madinah and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

The reward of praying in Medina is equivalent to one Hajj and Umrah. It is a Hadith:

Umar ibn Khattab narrated that while Prophet Mohammad was in Al-Aqiq valley he said, “An angel from Allah came tonight and said ‘Offer the prayer in this blessed valley (Medina) and say I intend to perform Umrah along with Hajj (together)’.”  (Bukhari 2337)

The reward of offering single prayer in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi which is located in Medina, is equivalent to one thousand prayers and in some Hadiths it is equal to one lac prayers.

Abu Hurrairah reported Prophet Mohammad’s saying:

“Prayer in my mosque is higher in reward than a thousand prayers observed in other mosques except Masjid-al-Haram.” (Muslim 3375, 3374)

Reward of visiting the sacred tomb of Prophet Mohammad

When the Divine lovers listen to the name Medina, their hearts feel peace and their longing to visit Medina increases. This is because Prophet Mohammad stayed in Madina and his tomb is also there which gives peace to the hearts and is the centre of blessings for the entire universe. Prophet Mohammad said, “The one who beholds me with pure intention, will be my neighbour on the Day of Resurrection.”

Another Hadith says, “One who performed Hajj and visited my tomb, it is as if he saw me in my life.”

A person from the family of Khattab narrated that Prophet Mohammad said, “He who came with the pure intention to meet me, will be in my neighbourhood on the Day of Judgment.” (Mishkat 2755)

Ibn Umar narrates that he heard the Prophet Mohammad saying, “Whoever performs Hajj and visits my tomb after my death, he is like a person who saw me during my life.” (Mishkat 2756)

Imam Bayhaqi has narrated these two Hadiths in Shu’ab al-Iman.

The instruction to observe patience on the calamities of Medina and its reward

Prophet Mohammad said that whoever would observe patience on the calamities, trials and difficulties of living in Medina, he will give his testimony and will intercede for him. Verily! Prophet Mohammad loved Medina so much that he wanted that whoever lives in Medina, should not leave it because of its troubles because settling there is a blessing along with reward on the Day of Resurrection.

Someone from the family of Khattab narrated that Prophet Mohammad said, “I will become a witness and will intercede for him who stays in Medina bearing the hardships patiently.” (Mishkat 2755)

Abu Hurrairah reported Prophet Mohammad saying, “For the one among my Umma who shows endurance against the hardships and rigours of Medina, I would be an intercessor and a witness on the Day of Resurrection”. (Muslim Sharif 3347)

Protection of Medina from the sinful

One of the honours of Madina is that there is no place for the sinful, wicked people and transgressors in it. Therefore it eliminates such people from time to time. One such incident occurred in Prophet Mohammad’s era:

Jabir ibn Abd Allah reported that a Bedouin pledged allegiance to Prophet Mohammad. He suffered from severe fever in Medina so he came to Prophet Mohammad and said, “O Mohammad, cancel my oath of allegiance.” But Prophet Mohammad refused it. He came again and said, “Cancel my oath of allegiance.” But Prophet Mohammad refused. He again came to him and said the same, but he refused. The Bedouin, however, went away (cancelling the allegiance himself). Thereupon Prophet Mohammad said, “Medina is like a furnace which removes its impurity and purifies what is good.” (Muslim 3355, Al-Tirmidhi 3920)

Antichrist will not be able to enter Medina

Just as mentioned, Medina wipes out all the impurities (impious, infidel and hypocrites) from itself and holds on the devout, pious and abstinent. This will continue till the Day of Judgment. Until, Antichrist will appear who will visit every corner of the world, there will be no place where he the cursed and ill-omened will not arrive. But he will not be able to appear in Medina because there will be angels appointed by Allah who will be lined for protection of Medina. Therefore, he will land outside Madina in the rocky region. At that time Medina will shake thrice and will drive away the impure, impious and infidels who will join the Antichrist. Some Hadiths relating to this matter are discussed below:

Abu Hurrairah reported that Prophet Mohammad said

“Behold! Medina is like furnace which eliminates from it the impurities. And the Last Hour will not come until Medina clears out its evils just as a kiln eradicates the filths of iron.” (Muslim 3352)

Abu Hurrairah

There are angels at the entrances of Medina so that plague and the Antichrist shall not enter it.” (Bukhari 1880, Muslim 3350)

Abu Hurrairah

Anas bin Malik narrated that Prophet Mohammad said:

“There will be no town which Antichrist will not enter except Medina and Makkah and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Madina and Makkah) but the angels will be lined guarding it against him. Then Medina will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earthquakes will take place) and Allah will drive all the non-believers and the hypocrites away from it.” (Bukhari 1881)

Anas bin Malik

The excellence of dying in Medina

One can recognise the excellence of Medina from the fact that Prophet Mohammad himself wanted to breathe his last in Medina and guaranteed to be his witness who will die in this sacred city.

Ibn Umar narrated that Prophet Mohammad said, “Whoever is able to die in Medina, let him die there, as I will intercede for those who die there.” (Tirmidhi 3917, Ibn Majah 3112)

Yahya Ibn Saeed narrated a happening. Its summary is:

A person died in Medina, people were digging his grave. While Prophet Mohammad was sitting near the grave, a person peered into it and uttered, “What a bad resting place of this believer.” On hearing this Prophet Mohammad said, “You spoke such bad words.” That person said that he did not mean to say bad about Medina but that getting martyred in the way of Allah is better than this. Prophet Mohammad replied, “It is not like this, dying in Medina is better than being martyred in the way of Allah.” Then he said, “There is no such place where I would prefer to die than in Medina”. Prophet Mohammad said these words thrice. (Muwatta Imam Malik)

Day of Judgment and Medina

It is related that it will be the last city to abolish on the Day of Resurrection as proves the Hadith:

Narrated Abu Hurrairah that Prophet Mohammad said,

“The last of the cities of Islam to be destroyed is Medina”. (Tirmidhi 3919)

Abu Hurrairah

The Last Hour and assemblage of believers in Madina

Medina is the pivot of believers and is the safest place on earth. Also, the believers will gather in Medina as the Last Hour will approach. It is a Hadith:

Abu Hurrairah narrates that Prophet Mohammad said, “(On the Last Hour) Belief (believers) will return to Medina as a snake returns and goes back to its hole (when in danger).” (Bukhari 1876)

Respected readers! Medina’s excellence is so elevated that one cannot explain. We can prove it by so many verses of Holy Quran and Hadiths. However, the biggest reason of its excellence is that the beloved Prophet of Allah migrated and stayed there. If he wanted, he could have stayed in Makkah at the time of conquest of Makkah. However, he not only chose to spend the rest of his sacred life in Madinah Munawara but also to die there. Also, the presence of his sacred grave in Madinah is increasing its excellence every minute.

Questions:

What is Medina known for?

People know Medina for the fact that Prophet of Islam migrated there, stayed there and his tomb is there. All the Muslims visit this sacred city with reverence to the tomb of Prophet Mohammad.

What is the supremacy of Medina?

1. Prophet Mohammad prayed for the safety of Medina from the diseases, for abundance of its fruits and for blessing in its measuring vessels.

2. Prophet Mohammad loved Medina very much. When Prophet Mohammad returned to Madinah Pak from a journey and saw its high places, he fastened his ride due to the love of this city.

3. He banned hunting in the territory of Medina and even declared to seize the clothes of whoever hunts in the territories. He prohibited to cut not only the fruited trees but also the thorny trees which the sacred Companions acted upon strictly. Whoever goes against the dignity of Medina, Allah rejects their every devotion.

4. Allah ordered Prophet Mohammad to migrate to Medina.

5. The reward of praying in Medina is equivalent to one Hajj and Umrah as per Holy Quran and hadiths.

6. One who will visit the sacred tomb of Prophet Mohammad in Medina with sincerity will be his neighbour on the Day of Judgment.

7. One who will be patient on the calamities of Medina, Prophet Mohammad will intercede for him.

8. Madinah wipes out all the impurities (impious, infidel and hypocrites) from itself and holds on the devout, pious and abstinent. This will continue till the Day of Judgment.

9. The cursed Antichrist will not be able to appear in Medina because Allah will appoint angels who will be lined for its protection.

10. It will be the last city to abolish on the Day of Judgment.

11. Medina is the pivot of believers and is the safest place on earth. The believers will gather in Medina as the Last Hour approaches.