Madinah المدينة المنورة is the second holiest city in Islam after Makkhah. Madina's importance as a religious site derives from the presence of al-Masjid an-Nabawi.The first mosque built during Muhammad's time is also located in Medina and is known as the Quba Mosque. Masjid al-Qiblatain is another mosque also historically important to Muslims. It is where the command was sent to the prophet to change the direction of prayer (qibla) from Jerusalem to Makkah.Most of the visitors to Medina use to visit 5 places like the prophet mosque , shohada Ohod , baqee' ,qeblatain and Quba
A mosque at new Madinah airport
How to arrive
The city has newly built airport just 20min by drive (30km). Taxis are abundantly available and cheap becuase of lowest petrol prices. Negotiation of the price must be done before the journey starts but the people of this city are mostly polite and good in nature. If youare coming form Makkah then the either you can take bus or Van for 15-20 Riyal or a taxi for nearly 400Riyal, Medinah is nearly 450km away from Makkah and the way is surrounded by complete desert. A high speed inter-city rail line (Haramain High Speed Rail Project also known as the "Western Railway"), is under construction in Saudi Arabia.=, hopefully will start fully functional in 2016.
Our taxi, he took his son also from home to make him visit Madinah
First View
Madinah is much different from Makkah, the city has a lot of date trees and more greenery. Still its a partial desert and city is covered by desert from all sides. The people are polite and traffic is not so much. Saudia Arabia is famous for hot weather but Madinah is little better than other cities. In December Temperature was nearly 20C in days time.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
al-Masjid an-Nabawi ("the Prophet's Mosque") The greatest attraction in the city of Madinah., which is the burial place of the Islamic prophet Muhammad(PBUH).The courtyard is dominated by huge canopies that were erected in order to allow for tens of thousands more pilgrims to pray just outside the mosque.Although the complex is now dominated by the canopies( huge umbrellas that open during the daytime to protect from sunlight) and the minarets that rise above them, the famous green dome, which was constructed by the Ottomans and sits above the tomb of the Prophet, is still largely visible.
Inside the Mosque the architecture is so beautiful, especially at night when all the lights on. During daytime, several dome will slide open and you will see the sky from inside the mosque
Roza Rasool (PBUH) and RiazulJannah are located inside the mosque and needs great energy to reach, There are a lot of visitors and place is opened after every prayer. The area between the Sacred Chamber and the Pulpit (Mimbar) is known as the Riadhul Jannah i.e. Garden of Paradise. It is presently distinguished by a green carpet and is also referred to as Rawdah.
Masjid Al-Qiblatayn
Masjid Al-Qiblatayn is famous because of its uniqueness amongst mosques. All mosques contain what is known as a qibla, an architectural feature that points the faithful in the direction of Makkah, the direction of prayer. This mosque Prophet(PBUH) redirected his prayer towards Makkah.
The mosque newly built and I think must be built again later as the front wall is in the direction of the Makkah.
Quba Mosque
It is the first mosque of Islam and few kilometers away from Masjid Nabvi. The mosque is alos newly built and and has good capacity for people to come and pray.
AL-Baqee
Al-Baqee is the biggest graveyard of Madinaha and is known for having many of the prophets(PBUH)'s close relatives buried here. The grave yard is open for only men in morning and after 3rd prayer. It’s a walking distance from the Nabawi Mosque. Muslim who passes away in Medina during Hajj or Umrah will also get the honor to bury here. Please take some of your time to visit Al- Baqi’ cemetery when you are in Madina and make Du'a for those who have gone before us…May God Bless Their Soul.
UHUD mountain and Martyr of Uhud
It Is A Sunnah To Visit The Martyrs Of Uhud Which Is 5km From The City. The Prophet's Uncle Saidina Hamzah Received The Honor As Martydom When He Was Killed In The Battle Field Of Uhud. The Prophet s.a.w Used To Visit Uhud And Prayed For The Souls Of Those Who Were Buried there.
Uhud mountains
Masjid Juma, First friday prayers were offered here
Dates
Medinah is famous for its high quality dates and there are many markets in Medinah. The price is slightly negotiate able and buying more than 5 kg can give you better discount. The dae AJWA and MABROOM are the two famous from Medinah.( price is nearly 25-35 riyal per kg).
Shopping in Medinah
There are alot of shops and street vendors and you ca find a huge variety of produts and peope shouting 5riyal 5 Riyal 5 riyal is very common after prayer times.
Precautions
1-Keep a small plastic bag to keep your shoes inside and rememberthe shelf where you put.
2- It can easily take 2-3 hours to visit the Roza Rasul(pbuh) keep small water botte with you
3- If you are old and fear of fainting during the congested waiting time then do not go for Riazuljannah(its hard to even come outside if you are inside crowd)
4-best time for Roza rasul pbuh is 8-10 in morning
I wish you a safe travel and acceptance of prayers.
