Al-'Aaliyah (Al-'Awaali) 

The name Al-'Aaliyah (the superior, or the high), is its historic designation. It is situated from the east to southeast of Madinah, in a line extending easterly from the Baqee'a (cemetery) to Harrah Waaqim in a southerly direction, to the area adjacent to the Qubaa' district.

Prevalent in it were the residential quarters of a number of the tribes of Al-Ansaar and a permeation of date palm farms and groves. From its easterly elevation, it gradually declines as it proceeds west, until it becomes the level land upon which stands the Prophet's Mosque. The buildings of the district advanced creepingly, until today, they envelop most of the land that was once occupied by groves and farms of date palms. It also called Al-'Awaali. Frequent references are made to it in history books, which span the ages. Its residential quarters and groves are mentioned in many narrations dating from modern times and going back as far as the pre-Islamic era.

Before Islam, there were confrontations in it between the tribes of Al-Aous and Al-Khazraj. Some of the Makkan emigrants resided there. It was once a separate village, like Qubaa', but then became connected to Madinah when it flourished in the Al-Raashidi period. In the third century, it contracted and declined like Madinah, eventually becoming detached from it. For a second time, it became a mere group of farms and residential quarters of families and workers. This was in particular after the wall of Madinah was erected.

In the modern era, it has become one of the districts of Madinah, crowded and congested with residences. Annually, it receives thousands of visitors during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, providing temporary housing for several days, or weeks.

Al-Ghaabah

Its location is east of Madinah, west of Mount Uhud. Its earth is marshy, but able to exist in it are the tamarisk plant and tamarisk tree, which is stunted in growth. In its east, there is a big, famous pond at the versant of Uhud, called Az-Zubair. It is mentioned in history books, where it is said that Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awaam had purchased it for one hundred and seventy thousand, his estate finally disposing of it for one million six hundred.

Al-Jorf

This district is located in the northwest section of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Its land is a level plain, which from early on had groups of groves and wells in it.

It is renowned for being the site of B'ir Roomah, which had been purchased by 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan (Allah be pleased with him), as an endowment for the Muslims. Some historic sources attribute the name Al-Jorf to Tuba'a, a king of Yemen, who passed by in this area during the pre-Islamic period and designated the land with this name, however we do not have any evidence as to the truth of this report. The Muslims profited from the land of Al-Jorf by establishing farms in it. A number of the Companions (Allah be pleased with all of them) of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) were gardeners, or horticulturists.

In the era of Al-Raashidi, they erected camps on the level earth to accomodate warriors. Those who contributed to Jihaad (struggling for Allah), gathered in Al-Jorf before proceeding to other areas which they would open to Islam. The tents remained in it as the army was preceeded by the banners and flags.

In current times, the advance of residential dwellings has diminished the farms and groves, until they have just about vanished. The state has protected the groves in which lie B'ir 'Uthmaan and has established an experimental farm in the property.

Al-Manaakhah 

This area was west of the Prophet's Mosque. Its northern limit was from the trail which led to Ash-Shaam, with that of the south at the start of Qurbaan.

Part of its northern section was a field which was used for training horses and game animals. Some of the time, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was in attendance urging both the skilled and the apprentices on, so that they would improve. There were at times, competitions between them. In this place of horse racing, a mosque, called the Al-Sabaq Mosque, was built.

In a second section, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), planned a market place for the Muslims. This was during the first years after the emigration. Its purpose was to extricate them from the dominant influence of the Jews, in the other markets. He said: " This is your souq (market), so don't restrict and don't derive tax from it ". The souq was roofless (exposed to the elements), there were no structures present. From the area called As-Sabaq to this site, trade in commodities was established. Transactions were effected from morning to the end of the day. The trader brought his merchandise in the morning, carrying it back at the end of the day and returning with it on the following day to resume business. During the period of the Ummawi Khalifah, Hishaam bin 'Abd Al-Malik, a souq was built in the area which consisted of large structures. The system dictated that the shops form a permanent market. However, after the death of Hishaam, the Madinans razed the buildings. They were re-erected a second time during a later period and some of the beneficiaries capitalised.

During the First World War, when there was rationing in Madinah, Fakhri Baashaaa demolished the souq. After that, a residential quarter was established in the section close to the Prophet's Mosque. The ground floor of the residences contained shops and commercial showrooms. They disappeared during a project to improve and beautify the districts encircling the Prophet's Mosque.

Along the length of the district, a traffic tunnel was excavated. The northern end of the tunnel opened onto Sayyed Ash-Shuhadaa' Street, while the southern end led to the beginning of the Qurbaan district. A square remained of what was left of Al-Manaakhah with the old souq extending along its pedestrian lanes, the rest devoted to services for the Prophet's Mosque.

Haarah Al-Aghawaat 

Haarah Al-Aghawaat was a residential quarter in the vicinity of the Prophet's Mosque to its east. Its history can be traced back several hundred years.

It was given this appellation, as Al-Aghawaat (the Eunuchs) were residents of this area. (Al-Aghawaat is the plural of the singular Agha. It is a Turkish word meaning mister.) They were designated as servants of the Prophet's Mosque, dedicated exclusively to its service. Their origin is attributable to the era of Salaah Ad-Deen Al-Ayoubi. It was he who dispatched the first group of them to the Two Holy Mosques. An endowment devoted to them in Egypt, assured their stipend, eventually becoming a limited system. Most of them had been castrated. The result of their devoted, ascetic service was that they acquired intense power and a high position in the hearts of the people.

In the Al-'Uthmaani period, they became an important class, with high rank in society, wielding great influence and authority in the state. As a result, the quarter in which they resided became one of the historic districts of the city. The number of residential houses in the district increased and were grouped in clusters of courtyards, each courtyard having but a single entry. In them were resident the poor, students and those devoted to worship.

This district was characterised as being one of the oldest residential quarters. Most of the structures in it were of one story, some of them were of two, the rooms however, were high-ceilinged. They were constructed of stone and mud, with low doors. Between the homes were narrow lanes, some no wider than the span of two feet. This district disappeared during the recent expansion project of the Prophet's Mosque, its land absorbed by the mosque's surrounding plazas.

Harrah Al-Wabirah 

Harrah Al-Wabirah is also called Harrah Al-Gharbiyah because it is located on the western side of Madinah. It is of less difficulty or roughness than that of Harrah Waaqim. It is permeated with level areas of land suitable for buildings, which have been erected in it. Also located in it are several hills, which are situated in such a way as to naturally facilitate the collection of rainwater.

It extends from Qiblatain Mosque on its northern reaches and spreads southerly, approximately to Qubaa' Mosque. It forms a natural impediment for the defence of Madinah on its western approach. Part of its level areas, on the southern side, were concentrated with date farms. Not well known were the small gaps which permeated it, except for the road on which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) first entered Madinah, which is also the road upon which travellers left for Makkah.

During the modern era, large portions of the land of the harrah were reclaimed, as buildings advanced to it.

Harrah Waaqim 

Harrah Waaqim is also called Al-Harrah Ash-Sharqiyah (the Eastern Lava Field). It is a high plateau in the east of Madinah, consisting of a series of knolls and flat plains. It is called 'harrah' because large parts of its surface are covered with rocks and black volcanic stones, which cause it to be intensely hot in the summer. It is narrated that the name 'Waaqim' is attributed to a person or a group from Al-'Amaaleeq, who settled in it. It has also been narrated that the intended semantic meaning linguistically of 'waaqim' is 'al-haajiz' (the barrier).

The form of Harrah Waaqim is a natural barrier which safeguards the eastern flank of Madinah. From that, it is not inconceivable as it is difficult to walk in it. It is not devoid of narrow passes, however they are able to be protected.

On the western side of Harrah Waaqim resided several old tribes who benefitted from the natural protection and the wadies which descend from it. They are associated with the name 'al-harrah' and of the bloody battle which occurred in the year 63 A.H.. This was when most of the people of Madinah repudiated their allegiance to Yazeed bin Mu'aawiyah and he dispatched an army under the command of Muslim bin 'Uqbah. The insurgents re-excavated the 'ditch' and entrenched themselves behind it, but the army of 'Uqbah struck at the approach to the harrah. He gave the rebels three days to return to compliance of their allegiance to him, but they declined. The collective capacity of the cavalry, under the command of Marwaan bin Al-Hakm had infiltrated one of the breaches of the harrah, which was not widely known and attacked those positioned behind the ditch, from the rear, taking them by surprise. This was the reason for the armies success. What transpired was a bloody massacre.

In the year 654 A.H., a powerful volcanic eruption from one of the hills occurred in the harrah, which persisted for nearly three months. The accumulations of volcanic debris increased in the area.

During the current period, buildings appeared in all areas of the harrah, due to modern machines capable of clearing wide swaths of land in it, to erect new residential neighborhoods.

Qubaa'

Wadi Raanoonaa' runs through Qubaa', which is a district in the southern part of the city of Al-Madinah. At one time, it was a separate village which lay on the trail of the caravans arriving from Makkah. With the inevitable increase in inhabitants and their dwellings, the village spread towards Madinah, eventually becoming connected to it. It is narrated that it was called Qubaa' because of the well that was in it. It is also said that the people saw an evil omen because of the graves in it and called it Qubaa'.

Qubaa' is distinguished by an abundance of subterranean water, as well as is the surrounding area. Its soil is fertile and as a result there are numerous farms with groves of date palms and those for the cultivation of grapes. It was during a recent period that configurations of groups of houses became prevalent in the areas in-between the farms, taking on the semblance of small quarters (neighborhoods).

A special feature are the grounds around the historic mosque, the original structure having been designed by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) when he reached here and who also shared in erecting it. It is the first mosque that was built in Islam and is mentioned in many hadith which evince its benefits. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) selected Saturday as the day in which he visited it from time to time and also visited some of his companions there.

The buildings of Qubaa' currently stretch in all directions the result of which, is that the farms and groves have decreased in number and size. What remains, however, contributes to the beauty of the district, for spread throughout are excellent conditions of moist air.

Qurbaan

Qurbaan is one of the main districts situated close to the Prophet's Mosque. It is located between Al-'Awaali and Qubaa', those districts forming its eastern and western limits, respectively.

In past times, Qurbaan was a group of farms, with some residences. It was not famous by this name, yet it had been retained in old books which had been written about features of Madinah. It is mentioned by Professor Hamad Al-Jaasir, in the appendix to his book �Al-Mughaanim Al-Mutaabah�, the name of the village being 'Qurbaan' (p. 454 and p. 456). It is possible that in later times it had so many residences in it that it was known by this name. Before relying on, or concluding from the information in this book, Qurbaan was a group of successive farms and groves, in them the residences of the farmers and their workers. Eventually progress saw the advance of buildings to it. There is not surviving from its farms, but little.

Qurbaan is distinguished by the fact that the buildings that have recently appeared in it are relatively immense. Its main thoroughfare has become a commercial market replete with shops selling housewares, electrical supplies and many sundry restaurants.

Yathrib

Yathrib was the first site of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. It has been narrated that it was called by this name, as the founding of Yathrib is ascribed to one descendant of the Prophet, Nuh (Upon him be peace), whose name was Yathrib bin Qaaniyah bin Muhalaa'eel. He had left Baabel with a group from his community to search for a land in which to resettle. When they came upon and beheld this location they were favourably impressed, so they halted here and gave their leader's name to this place.

It is mentioned in geographic studies that Yathrib was a fertile area surrounded by wadies and that it encompassed wells, springs and trees. It is located in the area between the western pool area and the Shuhaada' cemetery west of Uhud.

When the last emigrations reached it, there appeared residential clusters spread out in the area of what is between Al-Harrah Ash-Sharqiyah and Wadi Al-'Aqeeq. Those societies entered the area whose name was Yathrib. This was in spite of the fact that there were intervals of time and distant lands between them.

When the Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (Peace be upon him) migrated to it from Makkah, he changed its name. He called it Al-Madinah (the City), also referring to it as Taabah (Pleasant) and Taibah (Goodness), (etc.). He prompted the importance and urged the necessity of, refraining from using the name Yathrib, for he said: " He who says of Al-Madinah, Yathrib, should seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Great and Almighty ". It is possible that the reason for this is the linguistic evidence that the word Yathrib is derived from the word for rebuke, reprimand, imperfection and immorality. The result was that he restrained and curbed the use of Yathrib because of evidence of (life in) Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in the period before the advent of Islam.

Zughaabah

Its site is located near Madinah, situated at the end of Al-'Aqeeq, west of the grave of Hamzah (Allah be pleased with him). Here are the termini of some of the wadies of Madinah. Emptying into it are the streams of Al-'Aqeeq, Waadi Qunaah and But'haan. Here also is the field where the Quraish encamped during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah Al-Khandaq).