Wifāq ul Ulāma (SA) ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN 'ULAMA
Some significant places in Madinah Munawwarah
Amongst the significant places of Madinah Munawwarah are:
- The Rawdah (garden) of Jannah
Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam has mentioned: “The area between my house and my Mimbar (pulpit) is a garden of Jannah.” (Saheeh Bukhari #1195). The majority of scholars are of the view that this Hadeeth is in its literal sense. In reality, that land is from Jannah and will be returned to Jannah.
Subhanallah! What privilege can be greater than this?!
Within this garden of Jannah, there are certain pillars which mark significant places. Some of these pillars are:
- Ustuwaanatu ‘Aaisha – Pillar of ‘Aaisha Radiyallahu ‘Anha.
Once, a group of students were in the house of Hazrat ‘Aaisha Radiyallahu ‘Anha when she said to them: “I heard Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam saying, “In my Masjid there is a certain place, had people known the virtue of it, they would cast lots in order to get a chance to perform Salaah there.” (Al-Mu`jamul Awsat #862). Later on, Hazrat ‘Aaisha Radiyallahu ‘Anha pointed out this spot to her nephew, Hazrat ‘Urwah bin Zubayr Rahimahullah. Today there is a pillar built at this spot known as Ustuwaanah ‘Aaisha (The pillar of ‘Aaisha). The Muhaajireen Radiyallahu ‘Anhum would gather around this pillar. - Ustuwaanat ut Tawbah – Pillar of Repentance
This is where Hazrat Abu Lubaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhu tied himself in atonement for his crime. Du’aas are accepted at this spot. This was also the place where Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhuma and Imaam Maalik Rahimahullah would sit. It is recorded in Wafaa ul Wafaa that Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam would sit by this pillar after Fajr Salaah. - Ustuwaanat us Sareer – Pillar of the Bed.
This is where Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam would sleep during I’tikaaf. - Ustuwaanat ul Wufood – Pillar of Delegations.
This is where Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam would receive delegations and teach them about Islam. - Ustuwaanat ul Haras – Pillar of the Guard.
This is where some Sahaabah like Hazrat ‘Ali Radiyallahu ‘Anhu would sit, guarding Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam whilst he was at home. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)
- Jannatul Baqee’: The graveyard of Madinah Munawwarah.
It is also known as Baqee’ ul Gharqad. Imaam Maalik Rahimahullah is quoted to have said that TEN THOUSAND Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum are buried here (Wafaa ul Wafaa). The first person to stand up from his grave, at the time of resurrection, will be Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, followed by Hazrat Abu Bakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu and Hazrat ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. Thereafter they will proceed to the inmates of Baqee’ and subsequently they will be resurrected. (Musnadul Bazzaar #6143)Hazrat ‘Aaisha Radiyallahu ‘Anha reports that after Hajjatul Widaa (The Farewell Hajj), Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam would visit Jannatul Baqee’ whenever it was her turn to be with Him Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam. (Sunan Nasai #2041)Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam was commanded by Allah Ta’aala to seek forgiveness on behalf of the inmates of Baqee’. Hence, one night Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam went to the graveyard and spent a long time with his hands raised in Du’aa for the people of Baqee’. (Saheeh Muslim #2256/Sunan Nasai #2039)Amongst the stars of guidance, the Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum who are buried here is none other than Hazrat ‘Uthmaan Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. Hence, every visitor to Madinah Munawwarah should visit Baqee’ at least once, fulfilling the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam and making Du’aa for the inmates of Baqee’.Bear in mind the Du’aa of Hazrat ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu: O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in your path and allow my grave to be in the city of Your Rasul Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam. Reflect over the selfless sacrifice of the Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum and the extent of the sincerity of the love the inmates of Baqee’ had, that Allah Ta’aala has blessed them with the company of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam forever.
O Allah! You grant us a fraction of their love and grant them the best of rewards. Aameen.
- Masjid Qubaa
The very first Masjid to be built after Hijrah was Masjid Qubaa. Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam himself participated in its construction. Allah Ta’aala has described it as a Masjid which has been founded on Taqwa’.Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam would visit Masjid Qubaa every Saturday.
Hazrat Usayd bin Zuhayr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “(The reward of) a Salaah in Masjid Qubaa equals (the reward of) an ‘Umrah.” (Sunan Tirmizi #324)Hazrat ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu once visited Masjid Qubaa and performed two Rakaats of Salaah. Thereafter he asked for a broom and began sweeping the Masjid with his own hands. On this occasion he mentioned to those around him, “Had this Masjid (of Qubaa) been in some remote corner of the world, I would have definitely undertaken a journey to visit it.” (Wafaa ul Wafaa)While visiting Qubaa, reflect on the great sacrifice of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam and the Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum. Reflect on how they sacrificed their wealth, friends, city and practically everything for the sake of Deen. At the least, we should sacrifice our desires for the sake of Allah Ta’aala and Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam. - Mount Uhud and Martyrs
To the north of Masjid Nabawi lies the mountain of Uhud. Apart from the virtues this Mountain holds, it also has great importance in the history of Islam. Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said “Four mountains are from Jannah”. (Al-Mu`jamul Awsat #7673) Amongst the four, Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam mentioned Mount Uhud and Mount Toor.The attachment Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam had with this mountain and its love for Him can be gauged from the following Hadeeth wherein Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “This (Uhud) is a mountain that loves us and we love it.” (Saheeh Bukhari #2889)What a privilege for Mount Uhud! A testimony by none other than Allah’s Rasul Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam! At least we can visit Mount Uhud with this frame of mind: “O Allah! Out of love for this mountain, we are visiting it, and this is the beloved of Your Rasul Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam. O Allah! If a rock can be blessed with his love, You also bless us with his love.”A temporary defeat was suffered in the battle of Uhud when some Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum, due to a misunderstanding, left the position that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam had commanded them to remain in. As a result, seventy Sahaabah Radiyallahu ‘Anhum were martyred. Amongst them was the beloved uncle of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, Hazrat Hamzah Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. Our reflection when visiting Uhud should be on the importance of holding firm to the Sunnah and teachings of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam.Hazrat ‘Abbad bin Abi Saalih Radiyallahu ‘Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat ‘Umar and Hazrat ‘Uthmaan Radiyallahu ‘Anhum would visit the Shuhadaa (martyrs) of Uhud. (Wafaa ul Wafaa)
These are but a few significant places in Madinah Munawwarah. The reality has already been declared by Allamah Samhoodi Rahimahullah “…these were the virtues that I could remember. However, the reality is that Barakaat (special blessings of Allah Ta’aala) are widespread all over the entire city”).
Finally, the position of Madinah Munawwarah can be understood from this Hadeeth of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam: “There is no piece of land in this entire world more beloved to me that I be buried in than Madinah Munawwarah.” (Muwatta Maalik Pg. 478)