Madinah, A City Full Of Glory

By Elmi Rizal Elias MADINAH, July 20 (Bernama) -- Madinah, a city with various names – several scholars claim up to 115 – is one of the two holiest Islamic cities in the world, besides Makkah. In addition to the Nabawi Mosque, where one prayer is better than a thousand prayers in any other mosque in the world, the city is also where Prophet Muhammad was buried. There are many hadith (sayings) of the Prophet mentioning about the advantages of Madinah, also known as the 'glorious city', thus visiting this holy city is encouraged, as it can help increase a Muslim's piety level, as well as to prepare for the Haj pilgrimage or Umrah. This writer together with 19 other media people invited by Tabung Haji (Malaysia's Pilgrims Fund Board) to cover this year’s Haj, were impressed when given the opportunity to visit the historical places in Madinah, which is also known as the warrior city, following the efforts of the Prophet and his companions to spread the religion of Islam. The team was taken to visit Quba' Mosque – the first one built by the Prophet in the first year of the Islamic calendar. The group also visited Qiblatain Mosque, the Seven Mosques of Madinah and Mount Uhud. Mount Uhud is a historical site which marks the black moment of the defeat of the Muslim army at the hands of the Quraysh clan. The Prophet's uncle, Hamzah, and 69 other martyrs of the Uhud Battle were buried near the mountain. Visiting the martyrs’ graves also gives Muslims the opportunity to remember the struggles of the Prophet and his companions in upholding Islam. There are many more historical sites in the city of Madinah, one of them being Baqi’ Cemetery, which the Prophet often visited and sought forgiveness and blessings from God for those buried there. Malaysians performing the Haj pilgrimage, with the first group scheduled to arrive in Madinah on July 24, are advised not to miss out on the tour arranged by Tabung Haji. -- BERNAMA