“Enlightened City” is what Medina is sometimes called. It’s a fitting description. Today we explore Masjid Mardhi Khlaiwi. It is a place of prayer for Muslims.
Medina is one of Islam’s two holiest cities. Mecca is the other. Millions of Muslims visit Medina each year. They pay tribute to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Prophet migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. He lived and preached there until his death in 632 A.D. His final resting place is in Medina. It is in the Rawdah of Al Masjid an Nabawi. This is also known as the Prophet’s Mosque.
Before the Prophet’s arrival, Medina was known as Yathrib. It was a settlement around an oasis. This dates back to the 6th century. Jews settled here after a war with the Romans. Yathrib was mainly inhabited by Jews until the Prophet’s migration.
Islam spread quickly after the Prophet’s arrival. The city became known as Medina. Al Madinah Al Munawarah is its complete name. It means “the Enlightened City.”
Medina holds a special place in Islam. The Prophet migrated here. It became the center of Muslim leadership. He and his companions built the Prophet’s Mosque here.
Muslims revere Medina. Three of the most significant mosques in Islamic history are here. These are Masjid-e-Nabawi, Masjid-e-Qiblatayn and Masjid Al-Quba.
Masjid-e-Nabawi is sacred. The Prophet himself established it. Masjid-e-Qiblatayn is where the Prophet received the order to change the direction of prayer.
The Prophet said that whoever purifies himself and prays in the Quba Mosque. He will have a reward like an Umrah pilgrimage.
The Prophet continued to receive revelations in Medina. These are recorded in the Quran as the Madni Surahs.
Muslims visit Medina to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque. A prayer there is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere. The Rawdah is also a key site. It is between the Prophet’s house and the pulpit. It is now his burial chamber. It is considered one of the Riyad Al-Jannah. This means “Gardens of Paradise.”
Visitors offer prayers and blessings for the Prophet. They also visit other significant sites. These include Masjid-e-Quba and Masjid-al-Qiblatayn. They can also see Mount Uhud and Jannat-al-Baqi.
Medina is home to over 1.5 million people. This makes it the fourth most populous city in Saudi Arabia. The migration to Medina marks the start of the Hijri calendar.
Before Islam, Medina was known as Yathrib. The Prophet changed it to Medina. This means the city of the Prophet.
Many of the Prophet’s companions are buried in Medina. Aisha, his wife, is buried in Jannat-al-Baqi. Medina is also known for its date production. Despite harsh conditions, it is a top producer of dates. It has over 300 varieties.
Masjid Mardhi Khlaiwi stands as a testament to Medina’s enduring Islamic legacy. It is a place of worship. It is part of a city rich in history and spiritual significance. As we conclude our visit here. May the peace and blessings of Medina stay with you always.