Details

📍 Location & Meaning of the Name

• Madinah (Medina) literally means “the city” in Arabic. Its full name is Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, meaning “The Enlightened / Radiant City.”
• It lies in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, about 150 km inland from the Red Sea and roughly 450 km north of Makkah.

🏛 History

• Known in ancient times as Yathrib, Madinah was an oasis settlement inhabited by Arab tribes and Jewish communities.
• In 622 CE, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers migrated here in the Hijrah, marking the start of the Islamic calendar.
• In Madinah, the Prophet established the first Islamic state, the Constitution of Madinah, and built the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).
• It became the political, spiritual, and cultural center of Islam in the Prophet’s lifetime and after his passing in 632 CE, when he was buried there.
• Today, Madinah remains a spiritual heartland for Muslims and a major center for Islamic scholarship.

🌤 Weather & Climate

• Madinah has a hot desert climate.
• Summers: extremely hot, often 40–45 °C.
• Winters: mild, around 15–25 °C in the day, cooler at night.
• Rainfall is scarce and irregular, mainly in winter months.
• Best time to visit: October to April.

👥 People & Culture

• Population: about 1.5–2 million residents, but during peak Umrah and Hajj seasons, numbers swell dramatically.
• The city is home to Saudi nationals and expatriates from across the Muslim world.
• Culture is deeply tied to Islamic traditions, scholarship, hospitality, and spirituality.

🏞 Best Places to Visit

• Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque) – one of Islam’s holiest mosques, containing the Prophet’s tomb.
• Quba Mosque – the first mosque built in Islam.
• Qiblatain Mosque – where the Qur’anic command to change the prayer direction (qibla) from Jerusalem to Makkah was revealed.
• Uhud Mountain & Battlefield – site of the famous Battle of Uhud.
• Masjid al-Ghamamah & Masjid al-Qiblatain – historic mosques with strong Islamic significance.
• Dar Al Madinah Museum – focuses on the city’s Islamic history and heritage.

🍽 Food

• Traditional Hijazi cuisine is popular:
• Kabsa (rice with spiced meat)
• Mandi (slow-cooked rice and lamb)
• Mutabbaq (stuffed pancakes)
• Dates & Arabic coffee – central to hospitality
• Because of international visitors, Madinah offers a wide range of global cuisines as well.

🎭 What It Offers to Tourists

• Religious tourism: A key destination for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, second only to Makkah.
• Spiritual enrichment: praying in Masjid an-Nabawi (one prayer here is said to be worth 1,000 prayers elsewhere, except in Makkah).
• Islamic heritage: exploring historic mosques, battle sites, and museums.
• Peaceful atmosphere: Madinah is known as a city of peace and tranquility, offering pilgrims a chance for reflection and spiritual growth.

👉 Like Makkah, Madinah is primarily for Muslim visitors due to its sacred status. For Muslims, it is the city of the Prophet ﷺ, offering a blend of faith, history, and serenity unmatched anywhere else.