المدينة / Ma-dee-nah
Madinah is the second holiest city in Islam and the city where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the first Muslim community.
The Madinah meaning in Islam refers to the blessed city in present-day Saudi Arabia, officially known as Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, meaning “The Enlightened City.” It is one of the most sacred places for Muslims after Makkah.
In Islam, Madinah holds great spiritual and historical importance because it became the home of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah. It was in Madinah that the Prophet established the first Islamic society based on faith, justice, brotherhood, and worship.
Madinah is home to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque), one of the holiest mosques in Islam. The mosque also contains the blessed resting place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Millions of Muslims visit Madinah every year to pray in the Prophet’s Mosque and experience the city’s spiritual atmosphere.
The people of Madinah welcomed the Prophet and early Muslims with kindness and support during a difficult time in Islamic history. Because of this, the city became a symbol of unity, peace, sacrifice, and Islamic brotherhood.
Although Hajj is performed in Makkah, many pilgrims also travel to Madinah during Hajj or Umrah journeys to visit important Islamic sites connected to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Sahabah.