Medina

Medina, officially referred to as Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, ranks as the fourth-most populated city in Saudi Arabia, with a population of 1,411,599 as of 2022. This historic city, rich in Islamic history and tradition, occupies a position of utmost significance in the Muslim world. Located in the western part of Saudi Arabia, Medina functions as the capital of Medina Province within the Hejaz region, covering an area of 589 square kilometers. The urban area is 293 square kilometers, bordered by the impressive Hejaz Mountains, vast valleys, arable areas, and extinct volcanoes.

The city’s importance in Islamic culture and civilization is paramount. Medina is esteemed as the second-holiest city in Islam, after Mecca and before Jerusalem in religious significance. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, is centrally located in Medina and holds exceptional religious importance. This mosque, constructed by Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE, functions as his burial site. Muslims worldwide engage in a pilgrimage called Ziyarat to visit the Prophet’s grave, or rawdhah, but this journey is not deemed necessary in Islamic teaching.

The history of Medina extends beyond 1,500 years prior to the emergence of Islam. The city, originally referred to as Yathrib, is cited by this name in the Quran, particularly in Chapter 33, Al-Aḥzāb. The city’s name transformed over time, initially becoming Madīnat an-Nabī, which translates to “City of the Prophet,” after Muhammad’s demise. Subsequently, it was designated as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, meaning “The Enlightened City,” before being abbreviated to its present name, Madinah, which is the source of the English spelling “Medina.”

The demographic makeup of Medina is diversified, with Saudi citizens constituting 58.5% of the population and international immigrants accounting for 41.5%. The multicultural dimension contributes to the city’s diverse array of cultures and customs, augmenting its reputation as a global hub of Islamic scholarship and pilgrimage.

Medina’s involvement in the nascent period of Islam was crucial. It functioned as the capital of the swiftly growing Muslim empire under the guidance of Prophet Muhammad. The city emerged as the focal point of the burgeoning Islamic state, where Muhammad’s ummah, or community, acquired significant influence. This society comprised the Medinan inhabitants, termed Ansar, and the immigrants who accompanied Muhammad, known as Muhajirun. The early adherents were collectively referred to as the Sahabah, and their presence in Medina greatly enhanced the city’s prominence in Islamic history.

The religious landscape of Medina features three notable mosques, each with unique importance in Islamic tradition. In addition to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, the city hosts the Quba Mosque, recognized as the earliest mosque in Islam, and Masjid al-Qiblatayn. These hallowed edifices function as both sites of worship and lasting emblems of the city’s religious legacy.

Medina’s significance in Islamic scripture is emphasized by the revelation of a greater amount of the Quran in this city than in the previous Meccan surahs. This supernatural revelation in Medina enhanced the city’s status as a source of religious knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.

Medina has had various shifts of governance throughout its history, illustrating the volatile political environment of the Arabian Peninsula. The city’s governance has transitioned among diverse authorities, including Jewish-Arabian tribes, indigenous Arab clans, early Islamic caliphates, regional dynasties, and foreign empires. Medina has been a pivotal center in Islamic political history, spanning the eras of the Umayyads, Abbasids, Mamluks of Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire. The city was thereafter governed by the First Saudi State, briefly fell under the dominion of Muhammad Ali of Egypt, and was integrated into the contemporary Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1925.

In addition to its religious importance, Medina draws people eager to discover its extensive historical and cultural legacy. Both tourists and pilgrims are attracted to sites like Mount Uhud, the location of a pivotal battle in early Islamic history, and the Al-Baqi’ cemetery, where several associates and family members of the Prophet are interred. The Seven Mosques, a group of historic mosques, exemplify the city’s lasting religious significance.

Nonetheless, the conservation of Medina’s old edifices has raised concerns in recent years. The urban development plans of the Saudi government have resulted in the demolition of numerous archeological sites and ancient structures in Medina and Mecca. This modernization strategy has ignited discussions on the equilibrium between advancement and the conservation of Islamic heritage.