Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
Brothers in Islam! These days, many fortunate people are busy preparing for the Hajj of the House of Allah. We pray to Allah Almighty to grant them and all of us an accepted Hajj and to repeatedly grant us the opportunity to visit the two holy sanctuaries. Ameen.
In today's Friday sermon, God willing, we will mention some virtues of the two holy sanctuaries. In the next Friday sermon, we will discuss in detail the obligation of Hajj and its virtues and issues.
First, we mention the virtues of Makkah Mukarramah because all the rituals of Hajj are performed in Makkah Mukarramah, and Makkah Mukarramah is the most excellent city on the face of the earth and the city most beloved to Allah Almighty. That is why Allah Almighty created His most excellent Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad, peace be upon him, in this city and sent him as a messenger in this city.
Allah Almighty swore by the importance and virtue of this city:
﴿وَهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ ٱلْأَمِينِ ﴾
Reference: (At-Tin 95:4)
And He said:
﴿لَآ أُقْسِمُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدِ ﴾
Reference: (Al-Balad 90:1)
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Uddi bin Humaira Az-Zuhri (may Allah be pleased with him) that he saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) standing at the place called (Al-Hazwara) addressing Makkah Mukarramah and saying:
وَاللّٰہِ إِنَّكِ لَخَیْرُ أَرْضِ اللّٰہِ، وَأَحَبُّ أَرْضِ اللّٰہِ إِلَی اللّٰہِ، وَلَوْ لَا أَنِّیْ أُخْرِجْتُ مِنْكِ مَا خَرَجْتُ
Reference: (Sunan At-Tirmidhi:3925, authenticated by Al-Albani)
"By Allah! You are the best and most beloved land to Allah, and if I were not expelled from you, I would never leave you."
While it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) addressed Makkah Mukarramah and said:
مَا أَطْیَبَكَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ، وَأَحَبَّكِ إِلَیَّ، وَلَوْ لَا أَنَّ قَوْمِیْ أَخْرَجُوْنِیْ مِنْكِ مَا سَکَنْتُ غَیْرَكِ
Reference: (Sunan At-Tirmidhi:3926, authenticated by Al-Albani)
"How good a city you are and how beloved you are to me! And if my people did not force me to leave you, I would not settle in any other land besides you."
The Prayer of Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made a prayer regarding Makkah Mukarramah which Allah Almighty has mentioned in the Holy Quran as follows:
﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَٰذَا ٱلْبَلَدَ ءَامِنًا وَٱجْنُبْنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ ٱلْأَصْنَامَ ﴿٣٥﴾ رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّى ۖ وَمَنْ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣٦﴾ رَّبَّنَآ إِنِّىٓ أَسْكَنتُ مِن ذُرِّيَّتِى بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِى زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَيْتِكَ ٱلْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱجْعَلْ أَفْـِٔدَةً مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ تَهْوِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ وَٱرْزُقْهُم مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾
Reference: (Ibrahim 14:37-35)
"And (remember) when Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed: O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) secure and keep me and my children away from worshipping idols. My Lord! Indeed, the idols have led many people astray, so whoever follows me is surely of me, and whoever disobeys me—then You are Forgiving, Merciful. O our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring near Your honored House in a valley where there is no cultivation. O our Lord! That they may establish prayer. So incline some hearts among people toward them and provide them with fruits so that they may be grateful."
In this verse, Allah Almighty mentions that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to make Makkah a peaceful city. The reason is that when there is peace, worship of Allah can be performed with utmost tranquility, and if there is no peace, there is constant anxiety and fear, which prevents concentration in worship... After that, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed that he had settled some of his offspring in this waterless and barren valley so that they might establish prayer. Therefore, O Allah! incline the hearts of some people towards them. Perhaps it is the result of this prayer that almost every Muslim has love for this city and every Muslim desires to visit it repeatedly...
Here it seems appropriate to mention a long hadith from Sahih Bukhari, which contains the full details of how Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) settled some of his offspring in Makkah. So here is that hadith, please listen.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that among women, Hazrat Hajar was the first to tie a waist belt so that Hazrat Sarah would not be able to trace her. Consequently, Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) took Hazrat Hajar and her child (Ismail, peace be upon him) away from there. At that time, Hazrat Hajar was breastfeeding Hazrat Ismail. Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) seated them under a large tree near the elevated side of Masjid al-Haram by the Kaaba, where the Zamzam water is. At that time, neither was there any human settlement nor water there. He gave them a bag of dates and a waterskin of water and then left. Hazrat Hajar followed him and asked: Ibrahim! Where are you going leaving us in such a valley where there is neither any person nor water? Hazrat Hajar asked this several times, but Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did not even look back. Then she said:
آ اللّٰہُ أَمَرَكَ بِهَذَا؟
Has Allah Almighty given you such a command? Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: Yes. She then said:
إِذَنْ لَا یُضَیِّعَنَا
Alright, then Allah will not let us perish. Then she returned. When Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) moved away and reached a hill from where he could no longer see them, he turned his face towards the Kaaba and raised his hands in supplication with these words.
رَّبَّنَا إِنِّیْ أَسْکَنتُ مِن ذُرِّیَّتِیْ بِوَادٍ غَیْْرِ ذِیْ زَرْعٍ عِندَ بَیْْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ۔۔۔۔
Hazrat Hajar kept giving her milk and this water to Hazrat Ismail until the water was finished. Then she herself became thirsty and the child also became thirsty. Seeing the child writhing from thirst, she could not bear his condition and she set out. She saw that the Safa hill was nearby. She climbed it, then came down towards the valley. She was looking to see if any person appeared, but no one was seen. She came down from Safa until she reached the valley. She lifted the hem of her shirt and started running like a distressed person. She crossed the valley and reached the Marwah hill, and standing on Marwah, she looked to see if any person appeared, but she saw no one. In this state, she made seven circuits.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
فَذَلِكَ سَعْیُ النَّاسِ بَیْنَهُمَا
"The reason people perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah is because of this."
And when they ascended Marwah on the seventh round, they heard a voice. She said to herself: Be silent (listen), then when she put her ear close, she heard the same voice. She said: I heard your voice, can you help us in any way? At that moment, at the place of Zamzam, she saw an angel who struck the ground with his heel or wing and dug it up, and water came out. Hazrat Hajar began to make it like a pool and started building a small wall with her own hands, and began filling her water skins with water using a ladle. When she took water with the ladle, water would gush out afterwards. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
یَرْحَمُ اللّٰہُ أُمَّ إِسْمَاعِیْلَ لَوْ تَرَکَتْ زَمْزَمَ ۔ أَوْ قَالَ: لَوْ لَمْ تَغْرِفْ مِنَ الْمَاءِ لَکَانَتْ زَمْزَمُ عَیْنًا مَعِیْنًا
"May Allah have mercy on Ismail's mother! If she had left Zamzam as it was (or he said) and had not taken water ladle by ladle from it, Zamzam would have become a flowing spring."
Thus, Hazrat Hajar drank water and fed her child. The angel said to her: Do not worry about life, this is the house of Allah, this child and his father will build it. At that time, the Kaaba had collapsed and become a high mound from the ground, and the rainwater passed on its right and left sides. After some time, people of the Jurhum tribe or their relatives (Kuda) were coming through that route; they passed by and descended into the valley of Mecca. They saw a bird circling there and said: This bird must be circling over water; we are familiar with this field, we have never seen water here. So they sent one or two men, who found water present and returned to inform them, so they also came. Hazrat Hajar was sitting by the water there. They asked: Will you allow us to settle here? Hazrat Hajar said: Yes, but you will have no right to the water. They said: Okay. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Umm Ismail herself also wanted people to settle there." So they settled there and called their families as well. When many houses were established there and Ismail (peace be upon him) grew up and learned Arabic from these people, in their eyes he appeared a very handsome young man. They loved him and married one of their women to him. Then his mother passed away. Once, Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) came to see his wife and child, but Ismail (peace be upon him) was not at home. He asked his wife about him; she said: He has gone in search of livelihood. Then he asked about their living conditions; she said: Life is very difficult and harsh, and she complained much to you. He (peace be upon him) said: When your husband comes, convey my greetings to him and tell him to change the threshold of his house. When Ismail (peace be upon him) came, he felt as if a guest had arrived. He asked his wife: Did anyone come? She said: Yes, an old man like this came and asked about you. I told him. Then he asked how your livelihood is? I said: We are living in great hardship. Ismail (peace be upon him) asked: Did he say anything else? She said: Yes, he sent you greetings and also said to change the threshold of the house. Ismail (peace be upon him) said: That was my father, and he ordered me to leave you. So now go to your family. Thus, Hazrat Ismail (peace be upon him) divorced her and married another woman. After that, Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stayed in his land as long as Allah willed. When he came here again, Ismail (peace be upon him) was not found. He asked his wife about Ismail (peace be upon him); she said: He has gone to earn a livelihood. Then he (peace be upon him) asked: How are you and how is your living? She said: Thanks to Allah, life is going very well. He asked: What do you eat? She said: Meat. He asked: What do you drink? She said: Water. Then Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed: O Allah, bless their meat and water. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "In those days, there was hardly any grain in Mecca, otherwise Ibrahim (peace be upon him) would have also prayed for its blessing. And if people other than those in Mecca live only on these two things, they will not find them suitable." Anyway, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said (to his daughter-in-law): When your husband comes, convey my greetings to him and tell him that this threshold is good, protect it. When Ismail (peace be upon him) came, he asked his wife: Did anyone come today? She said: Yes, a handsome old man came, a very good man, he asked about you, so I told him. Also, he asked how your livelihood is? I said: Very good. Ismail (peace be upon him) asked: Did he say anything else? She said: Yes, he sent you greetings and also said that the threshold of your door is excellent, protect it. Ismail (peace be upon him) told her that he was my father and he ordered me to keep you with me. Then after some time, as Allah willed, Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) came, and at that time Ismail (peace be upon him) was sitting under a tree near Zamzam, fixing his arrows. Seeing his father, he stood up and the father and son met warmly. Then Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: Ismail! Allah has commanded me, will you help me in this work? He said: Certainly, I will. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: Allah has commanded me to build a house at this place and pointed to a high mound. So the father and son both lifted the foundation of this house. Ismail (peace be upon him) brought stones and Ibrahim (peace be upon him) built. When the walls became high, Ismail (peace be upon him) brought this stone (رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِیْعُ الْعَلِیْمُ) and placed it there. Now Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood on it and plastered, and Ismail (peace be upon him) kept bringing stones, and both recited this prayer:
In short, they continued building the House of Allah from all sides and kept reciting this prayer."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:3364
This translation of the hadith is taken from "Tafsir Taseer al-Quran" by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani (may Allah have mercy on him).
In this lengthy hadith, it is mentioned that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) settled some of his offspring in Makkah Mukarramah, and it also mentions that he, along with his beloved son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), built the Kaaba. Regarding this, Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٢٧﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:127)
"And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Kaaba), (they prayed): 'Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.'"
It is thus proven that the Kaaba was first built by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him). However, some commentators say that it was first built by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), and some have said that it was first constructed by angels, and Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) placed a dome on it. At that time, the angels told him: We have circumambulated this house before you... Some have also mentioned that the Ark of Noah (peace be upon him) circled this house for forty days. But Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says that all these narrations are reported from the Children of Israel, and there is no authentic narration from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) proving that the Kaaba existed before Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
Reference: (Qasas al-Anbiya by Hafiz Ibn Kathir: p.157)
The Kaaba, Allah’s First House
Allah, the Almighty, says:
﴿إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾ فِيهِ ءَايَٰتُۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾
Reference: (Al-Imran 3:96-97)
"Undoubtedly, the very first house (place of worship) built for people is the one located in Makkah; this house is blessed and is the center of guidance for all the worlds. It contains many clear signs, one of which is the place of worship of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Whoever enters this house is safe and secure. And it is the right of Allah upon the people that whoever has the ability to reach this house should perform Hajj. And whoever denies this command, then (know well) that Allah is free of need from all the worlds."
In these verses, Allah Almighty has mentioned five virtues of the Kaaba:
➊ First, that the Kaaba has the honor of being the first house of Allah Almighty.
Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) which mosque was built first on earth? He (peace be upon him) said: "Masjid al-Haram." He asked: Then which one? He (peace be upon him) said: "Masjid al-Aqsa." He asked: How much time was between them? He (peace be upon him) said: "Forty years."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3366 and 3425, Sahih Muslim:520)
➋ The second virtue is that this house is blessed.
➌ The third is that it is the center of guidance for all the people of the world.
➍ The fourth is that it contains many clear signs of Allah Almighty (for example, Zamzam, etc.). One of these signs is the Station of Ibrahim, which is the stone upon which Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood while raising the walls of the Kaaba.
➎ The fifth virtue is that whoever enters this house becomes safe and secure.
The Kaaba is a Great Place of Worship
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا ٱلْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ﴿١٢٥﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:125)
"And when We made the House (Kaaba) a place of worship for the people and a sanctuary, (We commanded) that the Station of Abraham be a place of prayer, and We enjoined upon Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them) that they keep My House clean for those who perform Tawaf around it, those who stay there for worship, and those who bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer)."
(مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ)
means that this House is a place for people to come and go repeatedly. Indeed, people come and go many times to the House of Allah for the purpose of Hajj and Umrah and earn reward by worshipping Allah. Also, it is said:
﴿جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَعْبَةَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ قِيَٰمًا لِّلنَّاسِ….﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah 5:97)
"Allah has made the Kaaba, the honored House, a means for the establishment of security and congregation for the people."
Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the exegesis of this verse that
(قِيَٰمًا لِّلنَّاسِ)
can have three different meanings, and all three are correct:
➊ The term "people" refers to all the people of this era, as well as those before and after, up until the Day of Judgment. In this context, the meaning will be that the existence of the Kaaba is the cause of the establishment and continuation of the entire universe, and the existence of the world lasts only as long as the House of Kaaba and the creatures who respect it exist. When Allah Almighty wills to end this cosmic system, at that time the House of Allah will be taken away, just as this structure was first built on this earth. Imam Bukhari preferred this meaning and under this verse, he has narrated the following hadith:
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
یُخَرِّبُ الْکَعْبَةَ ذُوْ السُّوَیْقَتَیْنِ مِنَ الْحَبْشَةِ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1591 and 1596, Sahih Muslim:2909)
"(Near the Day of Judgment) a small-legged (insignificant) Abyssinian will ruin the Kaaba."
From this hadith, it is implicitly understood that before this Abyssinian, no matter how strong and powerful an enemy was, would be able to succeed in the impure intention of demolishing the Kaaba. Just as Allah Almighty humiliated and defeated the companions of the elephant (Abraha and his army), He will similarly destroy every person, nation, or government that attempts the reprehensible act of demolishing the Kaaba.
➋ By الناس (people), only the Arabs are meant, who used to travel freely during the sacred months, especially when they were carrying sacrificial animals with them for sacrifice, because all Arab tribes respected such animals. All this was due to the sanctity of the Kaaba. Those performing Hajj and Umrah, as well as trade caravans, used to travel with great peace for one-third of the year. In this way, the Kaaba was the support of the entire country's civilizational and economic life.
➌ The people referred to are the people of Mecca and its surroundings. In this case, the meaning will be that the existence of the Kaaba in the barren valley is the source of livelihood for all the people of Mecca and its vicinity. People coming from the farthest parts of the world for Hajj and Umrah provide these people with services for accommodation, food, and transportation, in return for which these people earn enough income to sustain themselves throughout the year, and even more than that. Moreover, they also gain many other social and political benefits.
Reference: (Taseer al-Quran:565/1)
Severe Warning for Intending to Commit Misconduct in the Sacred Precincts of Mecca
The Sacred Precincts of Mecca are so holy and respected in the sight of Allah Almighty that even intending to commit misconduct, evil, or mischief therein has been met with a painful threat of punishment from Allah Almighty. The Divine command is:
﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلْنَٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَآءً ٱلْعَٰكِفُ فِيهِ وَٱلْبَادِ ۚ وَمَن يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادِۭ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٢٥﴾
Reference: (Al-Hajj 22:25)
"Indeed, those who disbelieve and prevent others from the way of Allah and from al-Masjid al-Haram — the sanctuary in which We have established rights for the people residing there and for the visitors — and whoever intends to commit injustice therein, We will make him taste a painful punishment."
The Companions of the Elephant and the Protection of the Kaaba
When the governor of Yemen (Abraha) attacked the Kaaba with an army of elephants, Allah protected His House and destroyed the attacking army through small birds. This is also evidence of the sanctity of this House. Allah Almighty says:
﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ ﴿١﴾ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِى تَضْلِيلٍ ﴿٢﴾ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ﴿٣﴾ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ ﴿٤﴾ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولِۭ ﴿٥﴾
Reference: (Al-Fil 105:1-5)
"Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan go astray? And He sent against them birds in flocks, striking them with stones of baked clay, and made them like eaten straw."
This incident is briefly as follows: In Yemen, there was a Christian government of the people of Abyssinia, and a man named Abraha was its governor. He was very jealous of the honor and grandeur of the Kaaba and wanted Sana'a to have the same status throughout Arabia as Mecca had, and the political, civilizational, commercial, and economic benefits that the Quraysh of Mecca were gaining because of the Kaaba to be obtained by his government. For this purpose, he built a magnificent church in Sana'a. The church building was grander and more splendid compared to the Kaaba, but despite this, people did not pay attention to it. Rather, one day someone secretly defiled it by relieving himself there, which gave Abraha an excuse to attack the Kaaba and destroy it. Accordingly, he prepared a large army of sixty thousand soldiers, including thirteen elephants. This army set out from Yemen. Whoever resisted on the way tasted defeat. Finally, he reached a place called 'Wadi Muhassir' between Mina and Muzdalifah. Here he set up camp and also looted some things. Abdul Muttalib, who at that time was the chief custodian of the Kaaba, had two hundred camels which were also seized by him. Abraha sent a message to the people of Mecca saying that he did not come to fight them but only to demolish the Kaaba, and he was also ready for negotiation. Upon this message, Abdul Muttalib went to talk to him, and then a dialogue took place between the two. Abraha asked: What do you want? Abdul Muttalib said: I want the return of my camels. Abraha was very surprised that he did not mention anything about the Kaaba. He said: I thought you would talk about the Kaaba! Abdul Muttalib said: I am the owner of the camels, and naturally, I can only talk about them, and as far as the Kaaba is concerned, it also has an owner who will protect it himself. Abraha returned the camels, and Abdul Muttalib returned. Meanwhile, Abraha decided to advance, but the very first thing that happened was that Abraha's own elephant refused to go towards the Kaaba. It was shot with many arrows, but it would move in any other direction and would not even think of moving forward towards the Kaaba. During this time, Allah Almighty sent flocks of birds from the sea, each carrying a stone in its beak and two stones in its claws, and the birds threw those stones on Abraha's army, destroying and ruining it.
Sanctity of Makkah Mukarramah
Makkah Mukarramah is a city of sanctity, therefore it is obligatory to respect its sanctity. Due to its sanctity, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated some special rulings on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah as follows:
إِنَّ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ حَرَّمَهُ اللّٰہُ یَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْأرْضَ، فَهُوَ حَرَامٌ بِحُرْمَةِ اللّٰہِ إِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَةِ، وَإِنَّهُ لَمْ یَحِلَّ الْقِتَالُ فِیْهِ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِیْ، وَلَمْ یَحِلَّ لِیْ إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِنْ نَّهَارٍ، فَهُوَ حَرَامٌ بِحُرْمَةِ اللّٰہِ إِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَةِ، لَا یُعْضَدُ شَوْکُهُ، وَلَا یُنَفَّرُ صَیْدُہُ، وَلَا یُلْتَقَطُ لُقْطَتُهُ إِلَّا مَنْ عَرَّفَهَا، وَلَا یُخْتَلٰی خَلاَهَا فَقَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ: یَارَ سُوْلَ اللّٰہِ، إِلَّا الْإِذْخِرْ فَإِنَّهُ لِقَیْنِهِمْ وَلِبُیُوْتِهِمْ، فَقَالَ: إلَّا الْإِذْخِر
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1834, Sahih Muslim:1353)
"Indeed, Allah has made this city sacred from the day He created the heavens and the earth, and it will remain sacred with Allah’s sanctity until the Day of Judgment. It was not permissible for anyone before me to fight in it, and I was only permitted to fight in it for a single hour during the day. After that, it will remain sacred with Allah’s sanctity until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, its thorn (or thorny plant) should not be cut, its game should not be hunted, anything lost in it should only be picked up by the person who announces it among the people, and its grass should not be cut."
Thus, Hazrat Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah! Please allow only the cutting of Azkhar grass because goldsmiths and blacksmiths benefit from it, and the people of Makkah use it in the roofs of their houses. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Alright, cutting Azkhar is permitted."
From this hadith, it is understood that:
➊ Fighting and quarrelling are forbidden in Makkah Mukarramah, and even carrying weapons without necessity is prohibited.
➋ Cutting any tree, plant, or grass in Makkah Mukarramah is also forbidden. However, due to certain necessities, only the cutting of Azkhar grass is permitted.
➌ Hunting or even driving away any animal or bird in Makkah Mukarramah is forbidden.
➍ Picking up something that has fallen in Makkah Mukarramah is not permissible unless the person who picks it up announces it.
The Virtue of Tawaf of the House of Allah
On the face of the earth, only the Kaaba is permissible to perform Tawaf around; performing Tawaf around any other house (or any grave, etc.) is forbidden. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, described the virtue of Tawaf of the House of Allah, saying:
مَا رَفَعَ رَجُلٌ قَدَمًا وََلا وَضَعَهَا إِلَّا کُتِبَ لَهُ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ، وَحُطَّ عَنْهُ عَشْرُ سَیِّئَاتٍ، وَرُفِعَ لَهُ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ
Reference: (Ahmad, Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib by Albani:1139)
"At every step during Tawaf, ten good deeds are recorded, ten sins are erased, and ten ranks are elevated."
Masjid al-Haram is one of the three mosques towards which traveling with the intention of reward is permissible
As the noble Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إِلٰی ثَلَاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: اَلْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ، وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْأقْصٰی، وَمَسْجِدِیْ هَذَا.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1188, Sahih Muslim:1397)
"Traveling with the intention of reward is only permissible towards three mosques: Masjid al-Haram, Masjid al-Aqsa, and this mosque of mine."
From this hadith, it is established that traveling with the intention of reward is only permissible towards these three mosques; traveling with the intention of reward towards any other mosque or shrine is not permissible.
The virtue of prayer in Masjid al-Haram
One prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to one hundred thousand prayers in other mosques.
As narrated by Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
وَصَلَاۃٌ فِیْ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ صَلَاۃٍ فِیْمَا سِوَاہُ.
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah:1406, Ahmad:14735 and 15306, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah)
"And a prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to a hundred thousand prayers in other mosques."
May Allah grant us the opportunity to repeatedly visit the House of Kaaba. Ameen.
In the first sermon, we discussed the virtues of Makkah Mukarramah. Now, let us listen to the virtues of Madinah Munawwarah.
Medina Munawwarah is the city to which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, migrated. After the migration, the Prophet ﷺ spent ten years in Medina Munawwarah. During this time, the Prophet ﷺ established the first Islamic government, headed by the Prophet himself ﷺ, with senior companions such as Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman, and Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with them all, serving as his advisors. Islamic armies were dispatched from Medina Munawwarah to fight the disbelievers for the cause of the exaltation of the word of Allah. Most of the Shariah rulings were revealed during the Prophet’s ﷺ life in Medina. The Prophet ﷺ also passed away in this city and was buried there.
Virtues of Medina Munawwarah
➊ Names of Medina Munawwarah
In the era of ignorance, this city was called 'Yathrib'; however, the Quran and Hadith mention some other names for this great city:
➊ Al-Madinah: Allah Almighty Himself has mentioned the name of this blessed city in the Holy Quran:
﴿ مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ﴾
Reference: (At-Tawbah 9:120)
➋ Tabah: This name of Madinah Munawwarah was also given by Allah Almighty Himself. As narrated by Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah (RA) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
إِنَّ اللّٰہَ تَعَالٰی سَمَّی الْمَدِیْنَةَ طَابَةَ.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1385)
"Indeed, Allah has named Madinah as Tabah."
➌ Tayyibah: This name of Madinah Munawwarah was given by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) Himself. As narrated by Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
إِنَّهَا طَیِّبَةٌ (یَعْنِیْ الْمَدِیْنَةَ) وَإِنَّهَا تَنْفِیْ الْخَبَثَ کَمَا تَنْفِیْ النَّارُ خَبَثَ الْفِضَّةِ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1884, Sahih Muslim:1384)
"Indeed, it (i.e., Madinah Munawwarah) is Tayyibah (pure) and it separates the impure just as a furnace separates the rust from silver."
➍ Ad-Dar: Madinah Munawwarah has been mentioned by this name in the Holy Quran by Allah Almighty.
As Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٩﴾
Reference: (Al-Hashr 59:9)
"And those who were settled in Al-Dar (Medina) before them and had embraced faith before their arrival, they love those who migrated to them, and whatever they give them (from the spoils) they do not feel any need in their hearts for it, and they prefer them over themselves even though they are in poverty. And whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul, such are the successful."
In this noble verse, Medina is called
(الدار)
and the virtues of the people of Medina are also described, who expressed joy at the arrival of their migrant brothers to Medina and embraced them warmly, cooperating with them so much in settlement that they shared their property, homes, and orchards with them, establishing memorable examples of selflessness and sacrifice. We mention two unique incidents of their selflessness:
◈ (1) Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! I am very hungry. The Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired from his wives, but they had nothing [In the narration of Muslim, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent a message to one of his wives, and she said:
وَالَّذِیْ بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا عِنْدِیْ إِلَّا مَاءٌ
By the One Who sent you with the truth! I have nothing except water. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent a message to another wife, and the same reply came from her, until he sent a message to all his pure wives (may Allah be pleased with them), and all replied that they had nothing except water]. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
أَلا رَجُلٌ یُضِیْفُهُ اللَّیْلَةَ یَرْحَمُهُ اللّٰہُ؟
"Is there anyone who will host him tonight? May Allah have mercy on him."
Hearing this, an Ansari companion stood up and said: O Messenger of Allah! I am present. Then he took that man to his house and said to his wife: This is the guest of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), so feed him whatever is available. She said: By Allah! Today I only have food for my children!
An Ansari companion said: [To somehow entertain the children and] to do in such a way that when the children ask for food, they are put to sleep, and when the two of us (me and my guest) start eating, you come to us [and show the guest as if we are eating with him.] Then somehow extinguish the lamp, so that tonight we will not eat anything. His wife did just that. [They both sat like that and the guest ate the food.] Then when the Ansari companion came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the morning, he ﷺ said:
لَقَدْ عَجِبَ اللّٰہُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ۔ أَوْ ضَحِكَ۔ مِنْ فُلاَنٍ وَفُلاَنَةِ.
"Allah was very pleased with so-and-so man and so-and-so woman." Or He said: "Allah laughed a lot because of them."
In the narration of Muslim, the words are as follows:
قَدْ عَجِبَ اللّٰہُ مِنْ صَنِیْعِکُمَا بِضَیْفِکُمَا اللَّیْلَةَ
"Tonight, Allah was very pleased with what you both did with your guest."
Then Allah revealed this verse:
وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:4889, Sahih Muslim:2054)
◈ (2) Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that when Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Awf (RA) migrated and came to us (in Madinah Munawwarah), the Messenger of Allah (SAW) made him and Hazrat Saad bin Rabi’ (RA) brothers. Hazrat Saad (RA) was very wealthy. So he said to his Muhajir brother Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Awf (RA): The Ansar of Madinah know that I am the wealthiest among them, and I want to divide all my wealth into two parts between you and me. Besides this, I have two wives; whichever one you find more suitable, I will divorce her, and when she completes her ‘iddah, you can marry her. Hazrat Abdur Rahman (RA) said: May Allah bless your family. After that, he became the owner of the most valuable wealth of ghee and cheese, and after a short time, he also got married.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3781)
These two incidents are excellent examples of the sacrifice and devotion of the Ansar of Medina.
➎ Strong Armor
Medina Munawwarah is also called strong armor.
As narrated by Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
رَأَیْتُ کَأَنِّی فِی دِرْعٍ حَصِیْنَةٍ …فَأَوَّلْتُ أَنَّ الدِّرْعَ الْمَدِیْنَةِ.
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:2445 from Ibn Abbas, and 14787 from Jabir with a good chain)
"I saw in a dream as if I was in a strong armor... so I interpreted the armor as Medina."
➋ Virtues of Medina Munawwarah
➊ The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) love for Medina Munawwarah
The beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had immense love for his city (Medina Munawwarah). It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (RA) that when we came to Medina Munawwarah, there was an epidemic spreading in it, due to which Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Hazrat Bilal (RA) fell ill. When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw the illness of his companions, he prayed saying:
اَللّٰهُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَیْنَا الْمَدِیْنَةَ کَحُبِّنَا مَکَّةَ أَوْ أَشَدَّ، اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِیْ صَاعِنَا وَفِیْ مُدِّنَا، وَصَحِّحْهَا لَنَا، وَانْقُلْ حُمَاهَا إِلَی الْجُحْفَةِ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1889, Sahih Muslim:1376)
"O Allah! Place the love of Madinah in our hearts as You have placed the love of Makkah, or even more than that. O Allah! Bless our Sa' and Mudd (units of recitation) and make it (Madinah Munawwarah) a place of health for us, and transfer its diseases to Juhfa."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to return from a journey and saw the walls of Madinah Munawwarah, due to his love for it, he would urge his mount to go faster.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1802 and 1886)
Love of the Ansar of Madinah for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
➊ Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that an Ansari woman came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) carrying her child. While speaking to her, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
وَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِیْ بِیَدِہٖ إِنَّکُمْ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَیَّ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3786)
"By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! You people are the most beloved to me."
➋ Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that on the day of the trench, the Ansar of Madinah used to say:
نَحْنُ الَّذِیْنَ بَایَعُوْا مُحَمَّدًا عَلَی الْجِهِادِ مَا حَیِیْنَا أَبَدًا
We are those who pledged allegiance to Muhammad (PBUH) on the hand for Jihad. And as long as we live, we will remain steadfast on this covenant. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded to them by saying:
اَللّٰهُمَّ لاَ عَیْشَ إِلَّا عَیْشُ الْآخِرَۃ فَأَکْرِمِ الْأَنْصَارَ وَالْمُهَاجِرَۃ
"O Allah! There is no life except the life of the Hereafter, so honor the Ansar and the Muhajirin."
And in some narrations:
(فَاغْفِرْ لِلْأنْصَارِ وَالْمُهَاجِرَۃ)
"Forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirin." While in others:
(فَأَصْلِحِ اْلأَنْصَارَ وَالْمُخَاجِرَۃ)
"Beautify the Ansar and the Muhajirin." are the words used.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3795,3796; Sahih Muslim:1805)
➌ Similarly, Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that on the day of the conquest of Makkah, when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) distributed the spoils of war and the Ansar of Madinah expressed displeasure, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
أَوَ لَا تَرْضَوْنَ أَنْ یَّرْجِعَ النَّاسُ بِالْغَنَائِمِ إِلٰی بُیُوْتِهِمْ، وَتَرْجِعُوْنَ بِرَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم إِلٰی بُیُوْتِکُمْ؟ لَوْ سَلَکَتِ الْأَنْصَارُ وَادِیًا أَوْ شِعْبًا لَسَلَکْتُ وَادِیَ الْأنْصَارِ أَوْ شِعْبَهُمْ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:3778; Sahih Muslim:1059)
"Do you not like that people take the spoils of war to their homes and you take the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, to your homes? (Remember) if all the people go to one valley or gorge and the Ansar go to another valley or gorge, then I will go to the valley or gorge of the Ansar."
➍ It is narrated from Hazrat Bara’ رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
اَلْأَنْصَارُ لَا یُحِبُّهُمْ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلَا یُبْغِضُهُمْ إِلَّا مُنَافِقٌ، مَنْ أَحَبَّهُمْ أَحَبَّهُ اللّٰہُ، وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَهُمْ أَبْغَضَهُ اللّٰہُ
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Ansar, Chapter: Love of the Ansar is from Faith: 3783, Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: The proof that love of the Ansar and Ali is from faith... 75)
"Only a believer can love the Ansar, and only a hypocrite can harbor enmity towards them. Whoever loves them, Allah will love him, and whoever harbors enmity towards them, Allah will harbor enmity towards him."
The Sanctity of Madinah Munawwarah
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم declared Madinah Munawwarah a sacred and respected city. He said:
إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِیْمَ حَرَّمَ مَکَّةَ وَدَعَا لِأَهْلِهَا، وَإِنِّیْ حَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِیْنَةَ کَمَا حَرَّمَ إِبْرَاهِیْمُ مَکَّةَ، وَإِنِّیْ دَعَوْتُ فِیْ صَاعِهَا وَمُدِّهَا بِمِثْلَیْ مَا دَعَا بِه إِبْرَاهِیْمُ لِأَهْلِ مَکَّةَ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2129, Sahih Muslim: 1360)
"Indeed, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Makkah as a sacred place and prayed for the people of Makkah, and I declare Madinah as a sacred place just as Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Makkah sacred. And I have prayed for the people of Madinah that the blessings in their measures and weights (Sa' and Mudd) be twice as much as the blessings Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed for the people of Makkah."
From this hadith, not only is the sanctity of Madinah Munawwarah established, but it is also proven that there is twice as much blessing in Madinah Munawwarah compared to Makkah Mukarramah.
And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِیْمَ حَرَّمَ مَکَّةَ، وَإِنِّیْ حَرَّمْتُ الْمَدِیْنَةَ مَا بَیْنَ لَابَتَیْهَا، لَا یُقْطَعُ عِضَاهَا وَلَا یُصَادُ صَیْدُهَا.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1362)
"Indeed, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Makkah as a sacred place, and I declare Madinah Munawwarah as a sacred place, and its sacred boundary is between the two fields with black stones, so its trees should neither be cut nor should hunting be done there."
The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) Prayer for Blessings for Madinah Munawwarah
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said in supplication:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْ بِالْمَدِیْنَةِ ضِعْفَیْ مَا بِمَکَّةَ مِنَ الْبَرَکَةِ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1885, Sahih Muslim:1369)
"O Allah! Grant Medina twice the blessings compared to Makkah."
And it is narrated from Abu Huraira (RA) that when the first fruit was brought to the Messenger of Allah (SAW), he would say:
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِیْ مَدِیْنَتِنَا وَفِیْ ثِمَارِنَا، وَفِیْ مُدِّنَا وَفِیْ صَاعِنَا، بَرَکَةََ مَعَ بَرَکَةٍ.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1373)
"O Allah! Bless our Medina and bless our fruits, our Sa' and Mudd. Give one blessing along with another (double blessing)."
The Virtue of Residing in Medina Munawwarah
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
اَلْمَدِیْنَةُ خَیْرٌ لَّهُمْ لَوْ کَانُوْا یَعْلَمُوْنَ، لَا یَدَعُهَا أَحَدٌ رَغْبَةً عَنْهَا إِلَّا أَبْدَلَ اللّٰہُ فِیْهَا مَنْ هُوَ خَیْرٌ مِنْهُ، وَلَا یَثْبُتُ أَحَدٌ عَلٰی لَأْوَائِهَا وَجَهْدِهَا إِلَّا کُنْتُ لَهُ شَفِیْعًا أَوْ شَهِیْدًا یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1363)
"Medina is better for them if they only knew. Whoever leaves it out of disinterest, Allah will bring a better person in his place. And whoever remains steadfast in it despite hardship, I will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection," or he said, "I will bear witness for him."
The Virtue of Dying in Medina Munawwarah
Narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ یَّمُوْتَ بِالْمَدِیْنَةِ فَلْیَفْعَلْ، فَإِنِّیْ أَشْفَعُ لِمَنْ یَّمُوْتُ بِهَا.
Reference: (Ahmad, Tirmidhi: 3917, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir by Albani: 6015)
"Whoever has the ability to have his death occur in Madinah Munawwarah, let him do so, for I will intercede for the one who dies in Madinah Munawwarah."
Meaning, if a person has the ability to remain in Madinah Munawwarah until his death, he should certainly do so because dying in Madinah Munawwarah will grant the special intercession of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) on the Day of Judgment. This is why Hazrat Umar (RA) used to make this supplication:
اَللّٰهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِیْ شَهَادَۃً فِیْ سَبِیْلِكَ، وَاجْعَلْ مَوْتِیْ فِیْ بَلَدِ رَسُوْلِكَ صلي الله عليه وسلم.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1890)
"O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause and let me die in the city of Your Messenger (PBUH)."
The Contraction of Faith in Madinah Munawwarah
Near the Day of Judgment, faith will contract and remain only in Madinah Munawwarah. As narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
إِنَّ الْإِیْمَانَ لَیَأْرِزُ إِلَی الْمَدِیْنَةِ کَمَا تَأْرِزُ الْحَیَّةُ إِلٰی جُحْرِهَا.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1876, Sahih Muslim: 147)
"Indeed, faith will shrink towards Medina just as a snake curls towards its hole."
Medina will sift the people
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say:
أُمِرْتُ بِقَرْیَةٍ تَأْکُلُ الْقُرَی، یَقُوْلُوْنَ:یَثْرِبْ، وَهِیَ الْمَدِیْنَةُ تَنْفِیْ النَّاسَ کَمَا یَنْفِیْ الْکِیْرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِیْدِ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1871, Sahih Muslim:1382)
"I have been commanded to migrate to a town that will consume other towns. (Meaning, the army from this town will conquer other towns.) People call it Yathrib, but it is Medina, and it will sift the people just as a furnace separates rust from iron."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه that a villager came to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and pledged allegiance to Islam. The next day, he came back with a fever. He said: Return my pledge to me. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم refused. He made the same request three times, but the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم refused each time. So he left Medina. Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
اَلْمَدِیْنَةُ کَالْکِیْرِ تَنْفِیْ خَبَثَهَا وَتَنْصَعُ طَیِّبَهَا.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1883, Sahih Muslim:1383)
"Medina is like a furnace; it separates the impure from the pure."
The meaning of this hadith is that only those who have pure faith will remain in Medina, and those whose faith is not pure will leave Medina.
Reference: (Sharh Muslim by An-Nawawi)
Its confirmation is also found in another hadith narrated by Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه, who said that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
"O people of Madinah! Remember the Day of Salvation." They asked: What is the Day of Salvation?
The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied:
یُقْبِلُ الدَّجَّالُ حَتّٰی یَنْزِلَ بِذُبَابٍ، فَلَا یَبْقٰی بِالْمَدِیْنَةِ مُشْرِكٌ وَلَا مُشْرِکَةٌ، وَلَا کَافِرٌ وَلَا کَافِرَۃٌ، وَلَا مُنَافِقٌ وَلَا مُنَافِقَةٌ، وَلَا فَاسِقٌ وَلَا فَاسِقَةٌ إِلَّا خَرَجَ إِلَیْهِ، وَیَخْلُصُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ، فَذَلِكَ یَوْمُ الْخَلَاصِ.
Reference: (Al-Tabarani fi al-Awsat, no. 2186, with an acceptable chain)
"The Dajjal will come until he descends into Zabaan, then every polytheist man and every polytheist woman of Madinah Munawwarah, every disbelieving man and every disbelieving woman, every hypocrite man and every hypocrite woman, and every sinful man and every sinful woman will join him, and only the believers will remain. That day will be the Day of Salvation."
Severe Warning for Those Who Intend Evil Against the People of Madinah
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
مَنْ أَرَادَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِیْنَةِ بِسُوْئٍ أَذَابَهُ اللّٰہُ کَمَا یَذُوْبُ الْمِلْحُ فِیْ الْمَائِ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1877, Sahih Muslim: 1387, wording from Muslim)
"Whoever intends evil against the people of Madinah, Allah will melt him as salt melts in water."
The Virtue of Dates of Madinah Munawwarah
Earlier, we have mentioned a hadith in which it is stated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed for the blessing of the fruits of Madinah Munawwarah, and among those fruits are dates. Furthermore, Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
مَنْ أَکَلَ سَبْعَ تَمْرَاتٍ مِمَّا بَیْنَ لَابَتَیْهَا حِیْن یُصْبِحُ لَمْ یَضُرَّہُ سُمٌّ حَتّٰی یُمْسِیْ.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2047)
"Whoever eats seven dates from the dates between the two black stones in the morning (in Madinah Munawwarah), no poison will harm him until evening."
Specifically regarding the Ajwa dates of Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
مَنْ تَصَبَّحَ بِسَبْعِ تَمْرَاتٍ عَجْوَۃٍ لَمْ یَضُرَّہُ ذَلِكَ الْیَوْمَ سُمٌّ وَلَا سِحْرٌ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:5445, Sahih Muslim:2047)
"Whoever eats seven Ajwa dates in the morning will not be harmed by poison or magic on that day."
Severe Warning Against Mischievous Behavior in Madinah Munawwarah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِیْهَا حَدَثًا فَعَلَیْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللّٰہِ وَالْمَلَائِکَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِیْنَ،لَا یَقْبَلُ اللّٰہُ مِنْهُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ صَرْفًا وَّلَا عَدْلًا.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1867, Sahih Muslim:1366)
"Whoever causes mischief in it (i.e., in Madinah Munawwarah), the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people will be upon him, and on the Day of Judgment, Allah will neither accept any obligatory acts from him nor any voluntary acts. (One meaning of this is that Allah will neither accept his repentance nor any ransom.)"
Protection of Madinah Munawwarah from Plague and the Dajjal
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
لَا یَدْخُلُ الْمَدِینَةَ رُعْبُ الْمَسِیْحِ الدَّجَّالِ، لَهَا یَوْمَئِذٍ سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَابٍ، عَلٰی کُلِّ بَابٍ مَلَکَانِ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1879)
"The Dajjal's terror and power will not enter Madinah Munawwarah; on that day, it will have seven gates, and at each gate, two angels will be guarding."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
عَلٰی أَنْقَابِ الْمَدِینَةِ مَلَائِکَةٌ لَا یَدْخُلُهَا الطَّاعُوْنُ وَلَا الدَّجَّالُ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1880)
"Angels are appointed at the gates of Madinah Munawwarah; plague cannot enter it, and the Dajjal will not be able to enter."
And the statement of Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) is that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
لَیْسَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلَّا سَیَطَؤُہُ الدَّجَّالُ إِلَّا مَکَّةَ وَالْمَدِیْنَةَ، لَیْسَ لَهُ مِنْ نِقَابِهَا نَقْبٌ إِلَّا عَلَیْهِ الْمَلَائِکَةُ صَافِّیْنَ یَحْرُسُوْنَهَا، ثُمَّ تَرْجُفُ الْمَدِیْنَةُ بِأَهْلِهَا ثَلاَثَ رَجْفَاتٍ فَیُخْرِجُ اللّٰہُ کُلَّ کَافِرٍ وَمُنَافِقٍ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1881)
"The Dajjal will go to every city except Mecca and Medina; at every gate of these two cities, angels will be lined up watching over them. Then Medina will tremble three times with its inhabitants, by which Allah will remove every disbeliever and hypocrite from it."
The most important place in Medina Munawwarah is the Prophet's Mosque
And this is the mosque whose land was purchased by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself, and its foundation was also laid by his blessed hands. This is the same mosque about which Allah Almighty said in the Holy Quran:
﴿ لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ﴾
Reference: (At-Tawbah 9:108)
"The mosque whose foundation was laid on piety from the first day is worthy that you stand in it."
Although there is a difference of opinion regarding which mosque is meant by this mosque, some have taken it to mean the Prophet's Mosque and others have taken it to mean the Quba Mosque, but a hadith in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), indicates that it refers to the Prophet's Mosque itself.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter explaining that the mosque founded on piety is the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ in Medina:1398)
The Prophet's Mosque is one of the three mosques towards which it is permissible to travel with the intention of earning reward
As the noble saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is:
لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إِلٰی ثَلَاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: اَلْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ، وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْأقْصٰی، وَمَسْجِدِیْ هَذَا.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1188, Sahih Muslim:1397)
"Traveling with the intention of earning reward is only permissible towards three mosques: Masjid al-Haram, Masjid al-Aqsa, and my mosque."
The virtue of one prayer in the Prophet's Mosque
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
صَلاَۃٌ فِیْ مَسْجِدِیْ هَذَا خَیْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ صَلاَۃٍ فِیْمَا سِوَاہُ إِلَّا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1190, Sahih Muslim:1394)
"One prayer in my mosque is better than a thousand prayers in other mosques, except for Masjid al-Haram."
It should be noted that the hadiths in which the virtue of one prayer in the Prophet's Mosque is described as greater than this, or in which the virtue of forty prayers is mentioned, are weak in their chain of narration.
A Garden from the Gardens of Paradise
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Mazini (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
مَا بَیْنَ بَیْتِیْ وَمِنْبَرِیْ رَوْضَةٌ مِنْ رِیَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1195, Sahih Muslim:1190)
"The piece of land between my house and my pulpit is one of the gardens of Paradise."
The Virtue of Masjid Quba
Masjid Quba is the mosque whose foundation was laid by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) himself at the time of the migration to Medina, and he also prayed in it. After that, he (peace be upon him) used to come to this mosque every week, either on foot or on a mount, and perform two rak'ahs in it. As narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:1191 and 1194, Sahih Muslim:1399)
And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) described the virtue of praying in it as follows:
مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِیْ بَیْتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتٰی مَسْجِدَ قُبَائَ فَصَلّٰی فِیْهِ صَلَاۃً کَانَ لَهُ کَأَجْرِ عُمْرَۃٍ.
Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah:1412. Graded authentic by Al-Albani)
"Whoever performs ablution in his home, then comes to the Quba Mosque and prays there, will receive the reward equivalent to that of Umrah."
We pray to Allah Almighty to grant us all the opportunity to visit the two Holy Sanctuaries repeatedly. Ameen
