Al-'Anbariyah Street

Al-'Anbariyah Street has been one of the principal streets of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, since the Al-'Uthmaani period. It is located on the western side of the Prophet's Mosque.

It originally extended to the city wall, where lay the principal gate, which was also called Al-'Anbariyah. That was the gate at which arrivals from Makkah and Jeddah entered the city. Al-'Anbariyah Street once encompassed the more important facilities and vital services of Madinah. Some of them were: the railway station, (its terminal is still in existence, the structure of which has been converted into a historic landmark), the mayor's diwaan and the offices of the governor.

The Taiba School, also located in this street and established during the final years of the Al-'Uthmaani era, was originally instituted as the Islamic University. The circumstances of the period during the war precluded its continuation, however, after that it became the largest school in Madinah. Also important are the Al-Mansooriyah School, which is the oldest public school in the city and the Al-'Uthmaani military barracks, which were eventually converted into a government operating complex.

When Fakhri Baashaa assumed the administration of Madinah, he extended the railway tracks which crossed this street to Baab As-Salaam (the Gate of Peace). Located in this street were a number of residential courtyards, for example the Courtyard of Abu Janib, the Courtyard of Ar-Raa'iy, and the Courtyard of Abu Dhira'i. In it also was the Souq (market) An-Nahaaseen, which was said to have been built on the site of the old Souq of Bani Qaynaqaa'a.

The majority of buildings and residences were razed to make way for the project to develop the central district, the remainder restored or renovated. The historic railway station and the Taiba Secondary School still stand in this street. Huge commercial and residential complexes have since been raised in it, as well.

Al-Khandaq

Al-Khandaq, (the trench) was excavated in the fifth year of the hijrah, by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and his noble companions. Its excavation extended over a long distance. This was done at the time when the Quraish and a number of the tribes marched, proceeding to Madinah to attack the Muslims.

The areas at the borders of Madinah; those at the southeast and part of the west are mantled with volcanic remains and dense date farms, constituting natural protection for what lies within. A portion of the northwest side lies exposed and it is easy to cross through this area to the heart of Madinah.

Salmaan Al-Farsi (Allah be pleased with him) suggested to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) that he excavate a trench across the extant of the exposed area to deflect the battle and keep it from the city. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) accepted his counsel and planned the layout of the trench. He distributed his companions along the site of the excavation, with ten of them assigned to each forty cubit length. He assisted them in the labour himself, digging with his noble hands until he was struck with fatigue. The digging continued for six days. A tent was pitched for the Messenger of Allah at the northwest versant of Mount Sila'a, (the site on which, in the past, was erected the Fatah Mosque).

A number of miracles occurred during the days of the excavation. Amongst them: the mendicity which was intensified during the days of toiling in the trench, causing the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to supplicate. He spit into a vessel of water and supplicated Allah for what Allah willed. The water was increased for the beggars, pouring forth ceaselessly like sand from a dune to sate their needs. Another miracle occurred when rocks hindered Salmaan and his companions. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) struck one with a blow from a pick-axe and split it. Sparks of lightning radiated from between the two halves of the lava rock illuminating Madinah, so the Prophet (Peace be upon him) praised Allah. He then struck it a second time, with lightning again radiating from it, so he praised Allah. The third time was like the prior two, but this time it broke. Salmaan said, "You, by my father and my mother; Oh Messenger of Allah, I have never seen a thing like that which I have seen". The Prophet (Peace be upon him said, "Yes, my first strike struck and the lightening illuminated the palaces of Al-Heerah and the province of Kusraa. Jibreel advised me that my nation is manifest to them. The second strike illuminated the palaces of Rome, while the third the palaces in Sana'a (in Yemen)�. So they rejoiced. Salmaam said that he had already seen all of this. Another miracle was that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) took a scoop of dates from 'Umrah bint Roowaahah, the sister of 'Abdullah bin Roowaahah. He supplicated by his garment and placed the dates upon it, spreading and scattering them. He then summoned all of the people in the trench to take nourishment from them. They began and they all ate until they were sustained from it and truly the dates were falling from the sides of the garment. Another was the story of the ewe of Jaabir bin 'Abdullah which was brought to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), who supplicated and all of his companions ate and it continued from his blessings.

Some researchers have endeavoured to determine the precise location of the trench, however it has not been established successfully with any favourable results. Professor 'Abd Al-Qudoos Al-Ansaari has produced a map of the approximate site, based on what is in historic sources. This map concludes that the trench began from the direction of Harrah Al-Wabirah (Al-Harrah Al-Gharbiyah), where Waadi But'haan passes close to it. It extends west of Mount Sila'a, then curves similar to a bow, passing close to Mount Dhibaab, where it proceeds to Ajmah Ash-Sheikhain, finally ending at the area of Harrat Waaqim (Al-Harrat Ash-Sharqiyah). The entire length reaching nearly twelve kilometres. It is held that its width was not less than four metres, as only a few of the polytheists horses were able to cross the breach and reach the Muslims. After the battle, (the Battle of Al-Ahzaab), sections of it were filled in, most of the rest of it during the period of the Al-Raashidi.

In the year 63 A.H., it was re-excavated when the people of Madinah revolted against Yazeed bin Mu'aawiyah and fortified themselves behind it. Yazeed dispatched a competent army. One group of them penetrated an area of Harrah Waaqim (Al-Harrah Ash-Sharqiyah) and took the besieged by storm from the rear. In time, another group was able to fill in a section of the trench with earth and cross to attack the defenders. All of this happened during the Battle of the Harrah. After that, the trench was again refilled and remained that way for a period approaching eighty years.

It was re-excavated a third time when Mohammed bin 'Abdullah bin Al-Hussain (An-Nafs Az-Zakiyah), revolted against the Khulaafah of Abu Ja'fir Al-Mansoor, in the year 145 A.H.. The army of Al-'Abbaas rushed in and ended the revolt. The trench was never re-excavated after that.

Al-Samhoodi mentions that some sections of what remained of it were present in his time (the ninth century), however since then, with the passage of time, it has become completely filled in. Now, absolutely nothing remains of it. Al-Khandaq is buried today, its specific location not known because Waadi But'haan occupies its site and it became the course of it.

Baqi'a Al-Gharqad

(The Madinah Cemetery)

Baqi'a Al-Gharqad is the principal cemetery of the people of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and has been since the time of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). It is closest to Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, of all of the historic places in Madinah. It is located opposite the southeastern section of the wall of the masjid. Recently, some contiguous property was added to it, to increase the land area available for burials.

An imposing new, high marble clad wall has been erected around the entire perimeter of the Baqi'a, so that the old and new areas have been united. Its total area presently amounts to fifty-six thousand square metres. The Baqi'a contains the mortal remains of thousands upon thousands of Muslims.

This cemetery has been the final resting place of the residents of Madinah, as well as those of nearby, neighboring areas and of visitors since the time of Hijrah. It was the preferred final resting place of the Noble Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them). This is evidenced by the fact that about ten thousand of the Noble Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them), are buried within. Among the notable Muslims interred therein are the Mothers of the Believers (the wives of the Prophet, Allah be pleased with them), with the exclusion of Khadijah (Allah be pleased with her) and Maimoonah (Allah be pleased with her). Also buried here are the Prophet's daughters, (Allah be pleased with them), Faatimah Az-Zahrah (Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet's son Ibrahim (Allah be pleased with him), the uncle of the Prophet, 'Abbaas, (Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet's aunt Safiyah (Allah be pleased with her) and the grandson of the Prophet, Hassan bin 'Ali (Allah be pleased with him). There are many, many other respected Muslims from throughout the history of Islam buried here who are too numerous to mention.

Several hadith (traditions: sayings and actions of the Prophet, Peace be upon him) mention that visiting the Baqi'a is both virtuous and meritorious. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) visited it at the end of the night and prayed for those who were buried there, by saying "Peace be upon you, Oh Believers, I grant you my pledge that tomorrow truly we will be lofty and worthy, Allah willing. Oh Lord, forgive the residents of Baqi'a Al-Gharqad". Thus, it is desirable, preferable and recommended to visit the Baqi'ah and supplicate Allah for those buried in its noble earth. Further, it is in compliance with and adhering to the Sunnah (the ways) of Al-Mustapha (this means {the Chosen} and is a reference to Mohammed, the Beloved Prophet of Allah, Peace be upon him).

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex

This distinguished institution of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, is respected by, as it is important to and needed by the entire Islamic world. It is a centre of Islamic science (scholarly works) and industrial technology for serving the Book of Allah, the Glorious Qur'an. It provides Muslims throughout the world with printed explanations of the Qur'an, in Arabic and other languages. It also produces recorded audio tapes.

It is located on the northwestern side of Madinah, opposite Jabal Habashi, atop which sits the Royal 'Diwaan' (the Royal Palace and Cabinet).

A professionally skilled staff and faculty of Islamic scholars has been established to write with precision, the vowalization and vocalization of the Qur'an, in accordance with reliable and approved readings. Recordings are electronically produced using the best and most advanced sound technology available.

Development and production of the explanation of the meaning of the Glorious Qur'an are meticulously revised. Scientific techniques in printing and production, using electronic printing presses have been established and now, the Glorious Qur'an is available in different sizes and with various styles of script, paper and bindings.

The number of employees in the complex now totals one thousand six hundred and twenty-three individuals.

It was resolved, by a Royal Decree, to found the complex in 1403 A.H. [1982 C.E.]. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Sa'ud, emplaced the foundation stone during the month of Muharram, in that year. It was formally dedicated and opened in the month of Safar in 1405 A.H. [1984 C.E.].

The buildings, which comprise the complex, are an architectural masterpiece, combining traditional Islamic design with the most modern, advanced buildings' technology. The complex occupies an area of two hundred and fifty thousand square metres of land. It is completely self-contained, composed of administrative offices, scholarly research departments , halls for development and production techniques, copying halls, printing and bookbinding, residential buildings with associated services for the employees and a splendid, large mosque. The front is faced with marble, with the appearance of an open Qur'an resting on a reading stand.

To date, the complex has produced more than one hundred million copies of the Glorious Qur'an, in different sizes.

The complex is operated under the authority of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

An instruction centre is based in the complex and has started developing appropriate explanations of the meaning of the Glorious Qur'an and printing commentaries for most educational levels, which are based on historic texts and editions. A centre for the production of translations (explanations of the meaning of the Glorious Qur'an, in languages other than Arabic) has been created. These texts are reviewed for the preciseness and the accurateness of the meaning of the Holy Qur'an. The complex cooperates with the Islamic University of Madinah, in the administration of the Centre for Service of the Sunnah and Seerah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Work started in 1407 A.H. [1986 C.E.] and there is assistance in executing an ambitious program to issue encyclopaediae. One is an encyclopaedia on 'Al-Hadith Ash-Shareef, the other, As-Seerah An-Nabawiyah Ash-Shareef. Other programs deal with education and instruction.

Saqeefah of Bani Sa'adah

It was a roofed building, or an expanse of land with a roof, located in the quarter of Al-Ansaar, in particular to the Bani Sa'adah bin Ka'b, a subdivision of Al-Khazraj. It was used as a meeting place. It has become renowned, as a number of leaders of Al-Ansaar met in it after the death of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), to choose a khalifah who would deal with the affairs of the Muslims. In attendance were Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them). Their eventual choice was Abu Bakr, to whom they pledged fealty.

Al-Saqeefah was located to the northwest of the Prophet's Mosque, south of Mount Sila'a. It has been altered across the span of years, from a building finally metamorphosing into a garden, which lies directly to the west of the wall which was erected to surround the Prophet's Mosque during its last expansion.

The Wall of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

Security became stabilised during the Sa'udi period, which also saw the development and advancement of building, which spread in all directions of Madinah, as well as outside of the proximity of the wall. Needs transcended the efficacy of the wall and it slowly disappeared among the projects to expand and beautify the streets and squares.