JOURNEY OF FAITH: MADINAH & PROPHET MOSQUE (2017)

The city of Medina shines all the time, regardless of the time, because the light of Muhammad s.a.w is everywhere in this holy city, welcoming every person who arrives here.

Medina is a modern city. The length of the forbidden land of Medina is 16 km, while the distance from Jeddah is about 420 km and from Mecca is 480 km.

Medina was opened by Yathrib bin Qaniah (Yathrib was the old name of Medina before the Prophet s.a.w migrated from Mecca to Medina).

Medina became the site of the development of Islam as soon as the Prophet s.a.w migrated to Medina in 622 AD. Madinah is now known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, meaning "The Shining City" or al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah, which means "The City of the Prophet s.a.w".

In the city of Medina is also the resting place of the most noble man in the world, which is the Prophet s.a.w, located in the Prophet's Mosque.

In 2017 (1438 AH), Madinah served as a vital spiritual and logistical hub for more than 2.35 million pilgrims who gathered for Hajj. While the core rituals of Hajj take place in Makkah, the visit to the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) in Madinah is a cherished tradition for almost every pilgrim.

Key Highlights of Madinah during Hajj 2017

• Massive Footfall: Of the 1.75 million international pilgrims, the vast majority passed through Madinah either before or after the Hajj days. The Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah operated at peak capacity to handle the surge.
• Operational Success: Saudi authorities and the WHO reported a successful season with no major disease outbreaks (such as MERS or Cholera) or security incidents. This was particularly significant following the tragedy of 2015.
• Weather Challenges: Pilgrims faced intense summer heat, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F). In the courtyards of the Prophet's Mosque, the iconic large automated umbrellas and misting fans provided essential relief for the hundreds of thousands praying outside.
• The "Cyber Experience": 2017 saw a significant rise in the use of "Smart Hajj" technologies. This included free Wi-Fi in the Prophet’s Mosque, the distribution of e-bracelets for tracking lost pilgrims, and a surge in the "selfie culture" that sparked debates among scholars regarding spiritual focus.

Pilgrim Experience in Madinah

For many in 2017, the stay in Madinah was characterized by:

• Visiting the Rawdah: Pilgrims stood in long, organized lines to pray in the Rawdah ash-Sharifah (the area between the Prophet's tomb and his pulpit).
• Ziyarah (Tours): Groups visited historical sites such as the Quba Mosque (the first mosque in Islam), Mount Uhud, and the Qiblatayn Mosque.
• Infrastructure: 2017 marked a period of visible expansion and modernization in the areas surrounding the Prophet's Mosque to improve pedestrian flow and hotel accessibility.

The 2017 Hajj season was a landmark year for Malaysian pilgrims in Madinah, primarily due to the introduction of groundbreaking logistical reforms and the strengthening of the "Malaysian Model" of Hajj management.

The Tabung Haji operated several key buildings in Madinah to ensure the welfare of the Jemaah. 

ANWAR AL-MADINAH MOVENPICK HOTEL

Known as Madinah's largest 5-star hotel, strategically located as the nearest hotel to the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) and directly linked to a shopping Mall. 

THE PROPHET MOSQUE (MASJID NABAWI)

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) is the second holiest site in Islam and serves as the spiritual heart of Madinah. Established by Prophet Muhammad himself in 622 CE, it has transformed from a simple structure of palm trunks and mud bricks into one of the largest and most technologically advanced mosques in the world.

Prophet Mosque in Madinah (Source: Wikipedia)

Key Landmarks Inside the Mosque

• The Green Dome: The most iconic symbol of Madinah, it sits directly above the Sacred Chamber where the Prophet Muhammad is buried, alongside his two closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar.

• The Rawdah (Riyad ul-Jannah): A small area between the Prophet's tomb and his pulpit (minbar). It is carpeted in green (unlike the rest of the mosque’s red carpets) and is described in a Hadith as a "garden from the gardens of Paradise."

• The Minbar & Mihrabs: The mosque contains several prayer niches (mihrabs) and the historic pulpit used for sermons, which have been preserved and decorated through various eras.
• The Courtyard Umbrellas: 250 massive automated umbrellas provide shade for over 250,000 worshippers in the outer courtyards. They are equipped with misting fans to cool the air by several degrees.

THE GRAVE OF THE PROPHET S.A.W

Inside the Prophet's Mosque is the resting place of the greatest person in the world, Rasulullah s.a.w., with his two most faithful companions, namely Saidina Abu Bakar As Siddiq and Saidina Umar Al-Khattab. The sacred chamber was once the house of Prophet's wife Aisyah.

The grave of Rasulullah s.a.w. is located in a building with a green dome (Al Khadrak). Next to his tomb is Ar-Raudhah, a heavenly garden marked by white marble pillars and a green carpet. Often referred to as the Sacred Chamber or Hujrah al-Sharifah is located southeastern corner of Masjid Nabawi. 

BAQI' AL-GHARDAD CEMETERY

Next to the Nabawi Mosque is Jannatul Baqi' (Baqi' Cemetery). It is estimated that more than 10,000 of the companions and family of Rasulullah s.a.w who died in Madinah are buried here. Nine Ummul Mu'minin (Wives of the Prophet s.a.w) were buried in this Baqi' cemetery except for Sayadatina Siti Khadijah bt Khuwalid and Saidatina Maimunah bt Haris who were buried in Makkah al Mukarramah.

Here, there is also the tomb of Ahlul Bait (the family of the Prophet s.a.w.) that is the children and grandchildren of the Prophet s.a.w and also the noble companions.

The first Muhajirin to be buried in this Baqi' cemetery was Usman bin Ma'azun r.a. who died after returning from the Battle of Badr in the 2nd year of the Hijrah. While the first person from the Ansar group to be buried here was As'ad bin Zararah al-Ansari r.a. after 9 months the Prophet s.a.w migrated to Madinah.

SOKAIFAT BANI SAIDAH

Sokaifat Bani Saedah is the home of Bani Saidah Al-Kharajiyah tribe and is distinguished for having housed the most famous gathering of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after he passed away. Under this roof, the caliph who would take control of affairs was selected, it was here that the companions of the Messenger of God in his migration from Mekkah to Madinah, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq - may God be pleased with him - was chosen. 

Madinah is universally cherished for its unmatched serenity and deep spiritual connection to Islamic history. Often called the "Enlightened City," it offers a slower, more introspective atmosphere compared to the bustling energy of Makkah.

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Hajj 2017 pilgrim

30/12/2025: 4.29 p.m