Monday, May 4, 2009

al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah

Welcome to al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, the City of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). One of its nicknames is 'the Dome of Islam.' It's area is considered as al-Ḥaram (ٱلحرم), which means there are no game to be hunted and nor trees are allowed to be cut down.

No specific haj nor umrah for this city even though Medinan and pilgrims who come through al-Madīnah can assume ihram at Zulhilaifah - at the city outskirts. Usually, people come here for visiting purposes.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi ash-Sharīf is the famous landmark of the city. Its power control station is just below the mosque while its air-condition control station is located 7 km away from the mosque! The cooled air is brought to the mosque through 7 km-long plumbing system.

As-Salām Gate - Entrance to the main part of al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Pilgrims come through this door to visit the mausoleum of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), Caliph Abu Bakr and Caliph 'Umar al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them).

Saudi Arabian Government still preserve most of the Ottoman architecture of this mosque. At this gate, you can see Ottoman calligraphy especially the distinguished Ottoman calligraphy of 'basmalah.'

Open-air area inside the mosque equipped with electronic sunshades.