Islamic Landmarks in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMIC LANDMARKS IN SAUDI ARABIA
RESEARCHED AND COMPILED BY: KASIRYE HAMZA
REVISED BY: ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION, KAMPALA, UGANDA.
DATE OF COMPLETION: 13th /February/2021
CONTACT US AT: +256751610185/+256772256273

1 ISLAMIC LANDMARKS IN SAUDI ARABIA
CONTENTS
TO THE READER ................................................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 5
ISLAMIC LANDMARKS IN SAUDI ARABIA ................................................................................... 7
1. TOMB OF HAWA (‫ )عليها السالم‬....................................................................................................... 7
2. MADA’IN SALEH .......................................................................................................................... 9
3. MASJID AL-JI’RRANAH................................................................................................................... 10
4. GRAVE OF MAYMOONAH (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬................................................................................ 14
5. MASJID ABDULLAH IBN ABBAS ........................................................................................... 17
6. KHAYBAR .................................................................................................................................. 23
7. HOUSE OF HALEEMAH (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬............................................................................................. 24
8. MASJID AL-HUDAYBIAH ........................................................................................................ 28
9. THE WELL OF HUDAYBIAH .................................................................................................. 35
10. GRAVE OF BIBI AMINAH (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬......................................................................................... 38
11. IRQ AL-ZABIYYAH................................................................................................................. 39
12. AR-RAWHA .............................................................................................................................. 42
13. AL-MUSAYJEED...................................................................................................................... 46
14. WADI DHAFIRAN.................................................................................................................... 48
15. KATHEEB AL-HANNAN ......................................................................................................... 51
16. MASJID AREESH ..................................................................................................................... 54
17. AL-AQANQAL .......................................................................................................................... 58
18. SITE OF THE BATTLE OF BADR.......................................................................................... 61
19. JABAL MALAIKAH (MOUNTAIN OF THE ANGELS) ........................................................................ 67
20. BURIAL PLACE OF THE MARTYRS OF THE BATTLE OF BADR .................................. 71
22. BURIAL PLACE OF THE MUSHRIKEEN OF THE BATTLE OF BADR ........................... 77
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................... 82
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 83
TO THE READER
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country in Western

Asia constituting the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula. With a land area of
approximately 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq. mi), Saudi Arabia is geographically the
largest sovereign state in Western Asia, the second-largest in the Arab world (after
Algeria), the fifth-largest in Asia, and the 12th-largest in the world. Saudi Arabia is
bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain,
and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast and Yemen to the
south; it is separated from Egypt and Israel in the north-west by the Gulf of Aqaba.
Saudi Arabia is the only country with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast,
and most of its terrain consists of arid desert, lowland, steppe and mountains. As of
October 2018, the Saudi economy was the largest in the Middle East and the 18th
largest in the world. Saudi Arabia also has one of the world's youngest populations,
with approximately 50 percent of its population of 34.2 million being under 25 years
old.
The territory that now constitutes Saudi Arabia was the site of several ancient
cultures and civilizations. The prehistory of Saudi Arabia shows some of the earliest
traces of human activity in the world. The world's second-largest religion, Islam,
emerged in modern-day Saudi Arabia. In the early 7th century, the Islamic prophet
Muhammad united the population of Arabia and created a single Islamic religious
polity. Following his death in 632, his followers rapidly expanded the territory under
Muslim rule beyond Arabia, conquering huge and unprecedented swathes of
territory (from the Iberian Peninsula in the West to modern-day Pakistan in the East)
in a matter of decades. Arab dynasties originating from modern-day Saudi Arabia
founded the Rashidun (632–661), Umayyad (661–750), Abbasid (750–1517) and
Fatimid (909–1171) caliphates as well as numerous other dynasties in Asia, Africa
and Europe.
The area of modern-day Saudi Arabia formerly consisted of mainly four distinct
historical regions: Hejaz, Najd and parts of Eastern Arabia (Al-Ahsa) and Southern
Arabia ('Asir). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. He
united the four regions into a single state through a series of conquests beginning in
1902 with the capture of Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of
Saud. Saudi Arabia has since been a totalitarian absolute monarchy, effectively a
hereditary dictatorship governed along Islamist lines. The ultraconservative
Wahhabi religious movement within Sunni Islam has been called "the predominant
feature of Saudi culture", with its global spread largely financed by the oil and gas
trade. Saudi Arabia is sometimes called "the Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in
reference to Al-Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca) and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (in Medina),
the two holiest places in Islam. The state's official language is Arabic.
Petroleum was discovered on 3 March 1938 and followed up by several other finds
in the Eastern Province. Saudi Arabia has since become the world's second largest
oil producer (behind the US) and the world's largest oil exporter, controlling the
world's second largest oil reserves and the sixth largest gas reserves. The kingdom
is categorized as a World Bank high-income economy with a very high Human
Development Index and is the only Arab country to be part of the G-20 major
economies.
The state has attracted criticism for a variety of reasons including: its role in the
Yemeni Civil War, sponsorship of Islamic terrorism, its failure to adopt adequate
measures against human trafficking, and its poor human rights record, which has
been characterized by the lack of women's rights, excessive and often extrajudicial
use of capital punishment, state-sponsored discrimination against religious
minorities and atheists, state-sanctioned racism and antisemitism, and its strict
interpretation of Shari'a law.
The kingdom spends 8% of its GDP on the military (highest in the world after Oman)
which places it as the world's third biggest military spender behind the United States
and China and the world's largest arms importer from 2015 to 2019, receiving half
of all the US arms exports to the Middle East. According to the BICC, Saudi Arabia
is the 28th most militarized country in the world and enjoys the region's best military
equipment qualitatively, after Israel. However, in recent years, there have been
continuous calls for halting of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, mainly due to alleged war
crimes in Yemen and especially following the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi Arabia is considered a regional and middle power.In addition to being a

member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, it is an active and founding member of
the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, OPEC and
is also a major non-NATO ally.
INTRODUCTION
ISLAM IN SAUDI ARABIA
Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia. The connection between Islam and Saudi
Arabia (or at least the western Hejaz region of the country) is uniquely strong. The
kingdom, which sometimes is called the "home of Islam" is the location of the cities
of Mecca and Medina, where Muhammad, the messenger of the Islamic faith, lived
and died, and attracts millions of Muslim Hajj pilgrims annually, and thousands of
clerics and students who come from across the Muslim world to study. The official
title of the King of Saudi Arabia is "Mosques” the two being Al-Masjid al-Haram in
Mecca and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina which are considered the holiest in
Islam.
In the 18th century, a pact between Islamic preacher Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
and a regional emir, Muhammad bin Saud, brought a fiercely puritanical strain of
Sunni Islam first to the Najd region and then to the Arabian Peninsula. Referred to
by supporters as "Salafism" and by others as "Wahhabism", this interpretation of
Islam became the state religion and interpretation of Islam espoused by Muhammad
bin Saud and his successors (the Al Saud family), who eventually created the modern
kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The Saudi government has spent tens of billions
of dollars of its petroleum export revenue throughout the Islamic world and
elsewhere on building mosques, publishing books, giving scholarships and
fellowships, hosting international Islamic organizations, and promoting its form of
Islam, sometimes referred to as "petro-Islam".
Whether Salafis/Wahhabis are a majority in Saudi Arabia is disputed, with one

estimate putting their number at only 22.9% of the native population (concentrated
in Najd). The Wahhabi mission has been dominant in Najd for two hundred years,
but in most other parts of the country Hejaz, the Eastern Province, Najran it has
dominated only since 1913–1925. Most of the 15 to 20 million Saudi citizens are
Sunni Muslims, while the eastern regions are populated mostly by Twelver Shia, and
there are Zaydi Shia in the southern regions. According to a number of sources, only
a minority of Saudis consider themselves Wahhabis, although according to other
sources, the Wahhabi affiliation is up to 40%, making it a very dominant minority,
at the very least using a native population of 17 million based on "2008-9 estimates".
In addition, the next largest affiliation is with Salafism, which encompasses all of
the central principles of Wahhabism, with a number of minor additional accepted
principles differentiating the two.
Public worship and proselytising by non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, including the

distribution of non-Muslim religious materials (such as the Bible), is illegal.
ISLAMIC LANDMARKS IN SAUDI ARABIA
1.TOMB OF HAWA (‫)عليها السالم‬
Graveyard where Hawa (‫ )عليها السالم‬is said to be buried - Photo: ArabNews.com
This cemetery in Jeddah is believed to house the grave of Hawa (‫)عليها السالم‬. She is
also known as Eve, the first woman created and the wife of Adam (‫)عليه السالم‬. The
name Jeddah means the “Ancestor of Women”.
This elongated tomb, said to house her body, used to exist in the cemetery. The tomb
was levelled in 1928 and concreted over in 1975.
Historic tomb of Hawa (‫)عليها السالم‬

2. MADA’IN SALEH
Mada'in Saleh - Photo: theculturetrip.com
Mada’in Saleh (city of Saleh) is a pre-Islamic archaeological site located in the Al-
Ula sector approximately 400km north-west of Madinah. It is here that the tribe of
Thamud lived, famed for their ability to carve out homes in the mountains. The
prophet Saleh (‫ )عليه السالم‬was sent by Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬to guide them but they rejected his
teachings and were destroyed by an earthquake.
3. MASJID AL-JI’RRANAH
Exterior view of Masjid Jirranah - Photo: SkyscraperCity.com
Masjid al-Ji’rranah (Arabic: ‫ )مسجد الجعرانة‬is situated approximately 24km north-east

of Masjid al-Haram and is one of the Miqat places where pilgrims enter into the state
of Ihram for the performance of Umrah. In the year 8, AH the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬camped
in this location for a few days after the Battle of Hunayn, entered into the state of
Ihram and then proceeded to Makkah for Umrah.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME JI’RRANAH
This area has been named after a woman from the Quraysh who belonged to the
Banu Tameen tribe. Her name was Reeta and her title was Ji’irranah. She was
mentally unstable and spent the entire day knitting cloth and then tearing it up in
shreds. According to a narration of Abdullah bin Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, it is this very
lady that the Quran refers to in Surah Nahl where it states: And do not become like
the woman who, after painstakingly spun her yarn, caused it to disintegrate
into pieces…“(Quran 16:92)
Interior of Masjid Jirranah

DISTRIBUTION OF THE BOOTY AFTER THE BATTLE OF HUNANYN
In the year 8 AH, the Muslim army camped a few days at Ji’irranah, where the
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬distributed the booty the Muslims had captured from the Hawaazin tribe
during the Battle of Hunayn. When this was done, the people of the Hawaazin came
to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬in repentance and requested to have their prisoners and wealth
back.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬gave them the option of settling for either their prisoners or their
wealth. When they opted for their prisoners, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬instructed the Sahabah
to hand over the prisoners to them. The Sahabah did so obligingly. That evening, the
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬entered into the state of Ihram for Umrah and after completing the
Umrah, he left for Madinah the same night.
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT AT JI’RRANAH
It was here at Ji’rranah that an incident took place, which was a great source of pride
for the Ansar. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬gave large shares of the booty to the people with the
intention of winning them over to Islam and to strengthen the conviction of the new
Muslims.
Because none of the Ansar received such generous sums, some Ansar youth were
disturbed by it. This news reached the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬who gathered the Ansar and
proclaimed, “O assembly of Ansar! Does it not please you that while others may
take goats and sheep home with them, you will be taking the Messenger of Allah
home with you?” This filled their eyes with tears and they expressed their pleasure
with the distribution.
Qiblah wall side of Masjid Jirranah
It was also at Ji’irranah that the following verse of the Quran in Surah Baqarah was
revealed: And complete the Hajj and Umrah exclusively for Allah … “(Quran
2:196)
4. GRAVE OF MAYMOONAH (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
Grave of Maymoonah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
This is the grave of Maymoonah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬, one of the wives of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.
It is located on Hijrah Road, 20 km from Makkah, in a locality named Sarif. This is
the same place where they were married in 7 AH.
Maymoonah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬was the daughter of Harith-bin-Hazan. Her original name
was Barrah, but she was later renamed Maymoonah by the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. She was
first married to Aburehm-bin-Abdul-uzza. According to some reports, she was
married twice before she became Ummulmominin (mother of the Believers). She
had been recently widowed when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬married her at Sarif, a place lying
on his journey to Makkah when he was on his way for ‘Umrah in Zil-Qa’dah, 7 A.H.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had intended to start living with her when in Makkah after
performing ‘Umrah but, as the Quraysh did not allow him to enter Makkah, he called
her over to him in the same place on his return journey. Many years later
Maymoonah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬died and was buried exactly at the same place in 51 A.H.
(at the age of 81). This is a strange coincidence that at a certain place during one
journey, she is married, at the same place on the return journey she starts living with
the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, and at the very place during another journey, she dies and is buried
there.
Enclosure housing the grave of Maymoonah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬in Sarif
Aisha (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬says: “Maymoonah was the most pious, and the most mindful
of her kith and kin, among the Prophet’s wives.”
Yazid-bin-Asam says: “She was seen either engaged in salat or in domestic work.
When she was doing neither, she was busy in Miswak.”
She was the last woman to be married to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. Certain Muhaddithin have,
however, mentioned one or two other marriages contracted by the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬after
her.
Enclosure of the grave of Maymoonah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬next to the main road.
Note: This entry has been shown for information purposes only. On no account
should anybody pray to a grave or seek supplication through them as this is
tantamount to committing shirk, associating partners with Allah (‫)ﷻ‬.
5. MASJID ABDULLAH IBN ABBAS
Front view of Masjid Abdullah bin Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
Masjid Abdullah Ibn Abbas, in Taif, is build close to the grave of the great sahabi
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬. He was the paternal cousin of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and
is revered by Muslims for his knowledge. He was an expert in Tafsir (exegesis of
the Quran) and an authority on the Islamic Sunnah, the practice of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.
FAMILY AND EARLY LIFE OF ABDULLAH IBN ABBAS (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬was the son of Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, the paternal
uncle of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. His mother was Umm al-Fadl, the sister of Maymoonah
(‫)رضي هللا عنها‬, one of the wives of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.
He was born around three years before the Hijrah. When he was born, his mother
took him to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬before he had begun to suckle. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬put
some of his saliva on the newborn’s tongue, and that was the beginning of the close
relationship between the two.
SERVICE TO THE PROPHET (‫)ﷺ‬
While growing up, he was by the Prophet’s (‫ )ﷺ‬side doing different services like
fetching water for ablution. He would pray with the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and join his
assemblies, journeys and expeditions. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬would draw him close, pat
him on the shoulder and pray, “O Lord, make him acquire a deep understanding
of the religion of Islam, and instruct him in the meaning and interpretation of
matters.” Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬narrated, “The Messenger of Allah wiped my
chest and said ‘O Lord, grant him wisdom.’” Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬devoted his
life to the pursuit of learning and knowledge, following the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and
memorizing his teachings.

Mehrab of Masjid Abdullah Ibn Abbas
QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE
Sa`ad ibn Abi Waqqas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬said, “I have never seen someone who was
quicker in understanding, who had more knowledge and greater wisdom than Ibn
Abbas. I have seen Umar summon him to discuss difficult problems in the presence
of veterans of Badr from among the Muhajireen and Ansar. Ibn Abbas would speak
and Umar would not disregard what he had to say.”
Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬says, “After the passing away of the Prophet
(‫)ﷺ‬, I said to an Ansari friend of mine. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬is not now with us. But a
large number of Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) are still among us. Let us go
to them and get knowledge of the Islamic practices”. He said. ‘Who is going to
approach you for learning a regulation in the presence of these eminent Sahabah?’
I was not discouraged. I kept up my quest for knowledge and approached every
person who was supposed to have heard something from the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. I managed
to gather substantial information from the Ansar. If on my visit to someone of the
Sahabah, I found him asleep, I spread my shawl at the gate and sat waiting.
Sometimes my face and body would get covered with dust, but I kept sitting till they
woke and I was able to contact them. Some of them said: ‘Abdullah, you are the
cousin of the Prophet (‫ ;)ﷺ‬you could have sent for us. Why did you take the trouble
of coming to our places?’ I said to them: ‘I must come to you, for I am a student and
you are my teachers.’ Some people for whom I had waited said: ‘Since when have
you been waiting for us?’ I informed them that I had been sitting there for a long
time. They said: ‘What a pity! You could have awakened us from our sleep.’ I said,
“I did not like to disturb you for my own sake.’ I thus carried on my pursuits, till
there came a time when people began to flock to me for learning. My Ansari friend
realized this at that time and remarked. ‘This boy has surely proved himself more
sensible than us.”
Burial site of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬opposite the masjid
Wahab Ibn Munabbah says, “Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬lost his eyesight
in his old age. I once led him to the Haram in Makkah, where he heard a group of
people exchanging hot words among themselves. He asked me to lead him to them.
He greeted them with ‘Assalamu Alaikum.’ They requested him to sit down, but he
refused and said: ‘May I tell you about people whom Allah holds in high esteem?
These are those whom His fear has driven to absolute silence, even though they are
neither helpless nor dumb. Rather they are possessors of eloquence and have power
to speak and sense to understand. But constant glorification of Allah’s name has so
over-powered their wits that their hearts are overawed and their lips sealed. When
they get established in this state, they hasten towards righteousness. Whither have
you people deviated from this course? After this admonition, I never saw an
assembly of even two persons in the Haram.”
It was the devotion to knowledge, which caused Abdullah Ibn Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
to be known as ’Hibr-ul–Ummat’ (the most learned man of Islam) and ‘Bahrul
Ulum’ (ocean of knowledge) in his time. He narrated 1660 hadith and is generally
viewed as the most knowledgeable of the Companions in Tafsir.
DEATH OF ABDULLAH IBN ABBAS (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
He died in 68 AH in Taif and is buried close to the masjid shown above. Muhammad
Ibn Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬led the funeral service and remarked, “Today we have lost our
godly leader.”
6. KHAYBAR
Khaybar deserted houses - Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Khaybar lies about 150 km north-west of Madinah and was inhabited by a tribe of
Jews who incited hostilities towards the Muslims. The Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, along with 1400
companions mounted an expedition and conquered their territory in Muharram 7
AH.
7. HOUSE OF HALEEMAH (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
House of Haleema (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
These ruins are what remains of the house of Haleemah Sa’diya in the Banu Sa’d
region in the desert of Hudaibiyah. Haleemah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬fostered the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
here in the early years of his life.
It was customary among the citizens of Makkah to put their newborns in the care of
Bedouin women who would raise them for a couple of years in the desert. The
Makkans believed that the unspoiled, rugged desert environment would make their
children strong and hardy. Furthermore, an upbringing among the Bedouins ensured
that the children would learn the purest form of the Arabic language spoken
throughout Arabia.
Abdul Muttalib was looking for one such Bedouin women who would serve as a
wet-nurse and take his grandson to the desert. Some women from Banu Sa’d came
to Makkah to offer their services to local families. Abdul Muttalib asked each of
them to take his grandson Muhammad, but all of them declined the offer when they
were told the child’s father was dead. They felt the family of a fatherless child would
not be able to reward them handsomely.
Haleemah bint Abu Dhuwayb had come to Makkah that day. While all the other
Bedouin women had found children to nurse, she was not so fortunate. She saw
Abdul Muttalib with an infant in his arms and took pity on the child who had been
rejected by the other women. She and her husband took the infant Muhammad back
to the desert, happy that they were not returning empty-handed. Haleemah and her
husband, Harith bin Abdul Uzzah, both belonged to the tribe of Sa’d bin Bakr bin
Hawazen. Their children became the Prophet’s foster brothers and sisters. Their
names were Abdullah, Anisa, and Judhama, who was better known as Shayma.
Haleemah and her husband found their lives changed the moment they took
Muhammad home. They had travelled to Makkah on a frail female donkey that could
barely keep up with their caravan. On the return journey, however, as Haleemah rode
with the infant in her arms, the same animal moved so swiftly that it left the caravan
behind.
While Muhammad stayed with Haleemah’s family, the house overflowed with
blessings. Haleemah herself narrated that she brought Muhammad to her home
during a drought. Her she-camel would not give a drop of milk and her own baby
would cry the whole night out of hunger. With the child so distraught, Haleemah and
Harith found it hard to sleep at night.
Things changed, however, when Haleemah brought Muhammad home and placed
him on her lap. Her breasts overflowed with milk so that both Muhammad and her
own child drank their fill of milk and fell fast asleep. When Harith went to the she-
camel, he was amazed at what he saw. The she-camel’s udder were full of milk and
ready to overflow. It gave so much milk that Haleemah’s family was able to sleep
that night on full stomachs. Haleemah’s household suddenly appeared to be
untouched by the drought, although they lived in Dayar Banu Sa’d, the most
drought-stricken spot in the region. The family’s goats would return from grazing
with their stomachs full of grass and their udders bursting with milk. Husband and
wife would milk their goats often while others failed to get even a drop of milk.
Haleemah’s household continued to be blessed for the next two years, after which
she weaned Muhammad. Although he grew up during a great drought, he had
developed into a strong, healthy child.
Every six months Haleemah would take Muhammad to Makkah to be with his
mother and other family members. She would then return with him to Dayar Banu
Sa’d. After Muhammad was weaned, it was time for him to go back to his family for
good. When Haleemah took him back to his mother, she begged Aminah to let her
keep the boy longer because he had brought her good fortune. She pleaded he would
grow stronger and healthier in the desert, far away from the frequent epidemics that
raged in Makkah. Aminah consented, and Haleemah returned home with
Muhammad, happy at her extended good fortune.
Two years later, however, a strange event occurred that frightened Haleemah and
her husband, prompting them to return Muhammad to his family in Makkah. Anas
bin Malik (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬relates that one day as Muhammad was playing with some
children near Haleemah’s house, Jibreel (‫ )عليه السالم‬appeared and made Muhammad
lie down. He then opened up the boy’s chest, took out his heart, and extracted a lump
of flesh from it, saying: ”This is the portion of Satan in you.” Then he put
Muhammad’s heart in a golden tray filled with Zamzam water, washed it and
replaced it in his chest. The other children ran to Haleemah in terror crying that
Muhammad had been killed. When they reached Muhammad, they found him alive,
his face pale from shock. Anas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬later said that he saw the scar on the
Prophet’s (‫ )ﷺ‬chest where it had been sewn back together.
In the wake of this supernatural event Muhammad was carried back to Makkah,
where for the next two years he grew up under his mother’s care.
Haleemah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬died in 8 AH and is buried in Jannatul Baqi in Madinah.

8. MASJID AL-HUDAYBIAH
Old Hudaybiah mosque with new mosque in the background
Masjid al-hudaybiah (Arabic: ‫ )مسجد الحديبية‬is in the location where a peace treaty was
made between the prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Quraysh in 6 ah, which became known as the
‘treaty of hudaybiah’. There exists a historic mosque and a new one next to it.
hudaybiah also functions as a miqat for pilgrims to enter into the state of ihram.
THE PROPHET (‫ )ﷺ‬AND THE SAHABAH SET OUT FOR MAKKAH
After six years living in Madinah, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had a dream that he entered
Makkah and did tawaf around the Ka’bah. The Companions were delighted when he
told them about it as they all revered Makkah and yearned to do tawaf around the
Ka’bah.
Recognizing the dream as a sign, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬left Madinah for Makkah on
Monday 1st of Dhul’ Qa’dah 6 AH with the intention of performing Umrah in peace.
Accompanying him were 1400-1500 Muslims dressed as pilgrims for Umrah and
animals they had brought for sacrifice.
ARRIVING AT HUDAYBIAH
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had dispatched a scout ahead who came back with the news that the
Quraysh were determined to prevent the Muslims from entering Makkah.
Taking a secondary route to avoid the Quraysh, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬continued to travel
until the Muslims reached Hudaybiyah, about 40km west of the Ka’bah. They
pitched camp here.
Inside view of the old Hudaybiah mosque

THE PLEDGE OF RIDWAN
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬sent ‘Uthman (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬to the Quraysh to convince them that
they had only come to perform Umrah and to invite them to Islam. He was also
instructed to visit the believing men and women still in Makkah to tell them that
Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will make His religion victorious in Makkah and the time was close when
they would no longer be required to conceal their faith.
Uthman was in Makkah longer than the Muslims had expected and the rumour
spread that he had been killed. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬called for a pledge of allegiance. He
sat beneath an acacia tree and the Muslims promised that they would fight with him
to the last man. Placing one hand on the other, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “This is the
pledge on behalf of Uthman”.
Uthman (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬shortly turned up. The believers were spared from going into
battle, but they had proved their sincerity with their pledge. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬revealed a
verse referring to this pledge in Surah al-Fath:
Allah was pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto you beneath
the tree.”(48:18)
From that day, the pledge under the tree came to be called ‘Bay’a Al-Ridwan’, or
the pledge of those who had earned Allah’s pleasure.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE QURAYSH AT HUDAYBIAH
The Quraysh then sent Suhayl ibn ‘Amr. When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬saw him coming,
he remarked, “It is clear that they want peace since they have sent this man.”
He told his Companions to prepare a draft agreement.
He called for Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬and told him, “Write: In the name of Allah, the
Merciful, the Compassionate.”
“By Allah”, Suhayl said, “we do not know who this Merciful is. Rather write
‘In your name, O Allah'”.
The Muslims said, “By Allah, we will only write, ‘In the name of Allah, the
Merciful, the Compassionate.'”
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Write, ‘In Your name, O Allah.'”
Then he said, “Write, ‘This is what Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah has
agreed.'”
“By Allah”, retorted Suhayl, “if we accepted that you were the Messenger of
Allah, we would not have prevented you from reaching the House of Allah or
fought you. Rather write, ‘Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah.'”
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “I am the Messenger of Allah even though you do not
believe me. Write, ‘Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah.'”
He asked Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬to erase what he had written but Ali said, “By Allah no,
I will not erase it.”
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Show me the place,” and he erased it himself. Then he
said, “This is what the Messenger of Allah agrees provided that you give us
leave to perform tawaf of the Ka’bah.”
Suhayl said, “By Allah, we will not allow the Arabs to say that we submitted to
pressure. It will have to be next year.” It was also written: “On the condition
that if any of our men, even if he has your religion, comes to you, you will
return him to us.”
REACTION TO THE TERMS OF THE TRUCE
When the Muslims saw the terms of the truce and what it meant to the Messenger of
Allah, they were very distressed. The effect on them was so great that Umar ( ‫رضي‬
‫ )هللا عنه‬asked Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬angrily, “Did not the Messenger of Allah say
to us that we were going to go to the Ka’bah and perform tawaf?”. “Yes. But did
he tell you that it was going to be this year?”, Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬responded.
He assured him, “You will go there and you will do tawaf”.
When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had finished drawing up the treaty, he sacrificed a camel and
then shaved his head. This was a difficult time for the Muslims because all their
hopes had been dashed. They had left Madinah with the firm intention of entering
Makkah and doing Umrah. Now they felt beaten and crushed. However, when they
saw the Messenger of Allah had made the sacrifice and shaved his head, they rushed
to follow his example.
A HUMILIATING PEACE OR A CLEAR VICTORY?
Then the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬broke camp and returned to Madinah. On the journey back,
Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬confirmed that the truce of Hudaybiah was not a set-back but a victory:
Surely we have given you a clear victory, that Allah may forgive you your former
and later sins, and complete His blessing on you and guide you on a straight path
and that Allah may help you with a mighty help.”
(48:1-3)
Umar (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬said, “Is this a victory then, Messenger of Allah?” He (‫)ﷺ‬
replied, “Yes.”
THE TWO HUDAYBIAH MOSQUES
The remains of the old stone mosque are still present. The new mosque is known as
Masjid Shumaysi and has modern facilities to enable pilgrims to get into the state of
Ihram for performing Umrah.
Front view of Masjid Shumaysi

inside Masjid Shumaysi

9. THE WELL OF HUDAYBIAH
The Well of Hudaybiah
This well was the site of a miracle by the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬during his stay in Hudaybiah
in 6 AH.
WATER GUSHES FROM THE WELL OF HUDAYBIAH
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Sahabah camped at Hudaybiyah for a few days during
which the ‘Pledge of Ridwan’ and Hudaybiah peace treaty occurred. It was also at
Hudaybiyah that some miracles materialized at the hands of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, adding
to the historical significance of the area.
Baraa (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬narrates that the Sahabah numbered fourteen hundred at
Hudaybiyah and there was only one well there, which had dried up because of
constant use. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬went to the edge of the well and spat a mouthful of
water into it. Immediately, water started gushing from the well and all the Sahabah
had enough water for themselves and for their animals.
Looking down the Well of Hudaybiah
WATER GUSHES FROM THE PROPHET’S (‫ )ﷺ‬FINGERS
Another miracle at Hudaybiyah is reported by Jabir (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬. He says that the
people were thirsty at Hudaybiah and only the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had some water in a
bucket.
When he (‫ )ﷺ‬started performing wudhu, the people looked at him with great desire
for the water. Seeing them stare, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬asked what the matter was. When
they informed him that they had no water for wudhu or for quenching their thirst,
the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬put his hand into the same bucket and water started gushing forth
from the fingers.
Jabir (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬says that they all then had sufficient water for wudhu and for
drinking. When someone asked Jabir (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬how many they were, he replied,
“The water would have been enough for us even if we had been a hundred
thousand. However, we numbered fifteen hundred.”
LOCATION OF THE WELL
The well is today enclosed within an industrial site close to Masjid al-Hudaybiah.
Close by is the stone structure below. This is often mistaken to be the well of
Hudaybiah. However, this is actually a historic Miqat boundary marker.
Old Hudaybiah Miqat boundary markers

10. GRAVE OF BIBI AMINAH (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
Grave of Aminah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬
This grave, located in Abwa, close to Madinah is of Bibi Aminah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬, the
mother of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. She passed away returning from Madinah to Makkah
when the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was just six years old.
Note that this entry has been shown for information purposes only. On no account
should anybody pray to a grave or seek supplication through them as this is
tantamount to committing shirk, associating partners with Allah (‫)ﷻ‬
11. IRQ AL-ZABIYYAH
Irq az-Zabiyyah
Irq al-Zabiyyah is the location where the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Sahabah stopped on
the 14th Ramadhan 2AH on their march to Badr. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬consulted with the
Sahabah here whether they should go forward and fight against the mushrikeen
(polytheists) of Makkah.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬marched out along the road from Madinah to Makkah, passing
through Naqb al-Madinah, then Al-Aqeeq, then Zul Hulaifah, then Oolat al-Jaish,
then Turban, then Malal, then Ghamees al-Hamam, then Sukhairat al-Yamam, then
As-Sayyalah, then Fajj ar-Rawha, then Shanookah, proceeding on until they reached
Irq al-Zabiyyah.
Abu Sufyan, the head of the caravan the Muslims were planning to intercept, was
highly cautious and would ask every person he met about the movements of the
Muslims. He was at a great distance from Badr when he found out that a large band
of Muslims had left Madinah. Acting quickly, he turned the caravan westward and
headed for the coast, bypassing Badr altogether. He then sent a messenger to Makkah
to warn the Quraysh and request reinforcements.
The plain of Irq al-Zabiyyah – Photo: R.U.Poonegar
When the Quraysh received Abu Sufyan’s message, they quickly rounded up a large
squadron of men to confront the Muslims and protect the caravan. All the notable
chiefs of Makkah, except for Abu Lahab, joined the force, as well as every available
man from each of the neighbouring tribes.
Ibn Ishaq mentioned some numbers about the Quraysh. There were 950 fighters from
among the Quraysh and 50 were there for cooking food. They also brought with
them entertainers, musicians and songstresses to celebrate their anticipated victory.
Out of the 950 fighters, 200 were made up of cavalry (men on horses). They had so
many camels that as they left Makkah and camped for the first night, Abu Jahal
sacrificed 10 camels to feed the entire army. The Quraysh army travelled for a week
before they reached the place near Badr. Just in the first week, they had consumed
nearly 70 camels.
12. AR-RAWHA
Ar-Rawha
Ar-Rawha is a place outside Madinah where the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Sahabah rested
on the 14th Ramadhan 2AH on their march to Badr. It is also reported that the
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬drank from its well (Bir Rawha).
[Read about the previous landmark associated with the Battle of Badr: Irq al-
Zabiyyah]
Ar-Rawha has the distinction as being a place where many previous Prophets of
Allah passed through on their way to the Ka’bah in Makkah. Anas and Abu Musa
al-Ash‘ari (‫ )رضي هللا عنهم‬report that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Indeed 70 Ambiya
(Prophets) had passed the hill of Rawha enroute to the house of Allah (the
Ka’bah)….” [Majma’uz Zawaid]
There are the historic remains of a masjid at Rawha. Amr ibn ‘Awf (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
reports that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “... Indeed seventy Ambiya (Prophets) prayed
salah in this Masjid (at Rawha)…” [Fathul Bari]
The present Ar-Rawha mosque
After reaching Ar-Rawha, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬sent Abu Lubaba (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬back to
Madinah. He told Abu Lubaba, “Abdullah bin Ummi Maqtum will take care of the
masjid and lead the prayers, but you will be in charge of the city of Madinah”.
Abu Lubaba was an Ansari from Banu Aus and knew everyone in and outside of
Madinah. This was why the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬appointed him to keep watch over the city
in his absence.
The well of Rawha (Bir Rawha)
Towards the end of time the Prophet Isa [Jesus], (peace be upon him) will pass
through ar-Rawha after his return back to Earth. It has been narrated from Abu
Hurairah (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
said, “By the One in whose hand is my soul, the son of Maryam will certainly enter
ihraam in the valley of ar-Rawha, as a pilgrim performing Hajj or ‘Umrah, or both.”
[Muslim]
Water from the well of al-Rawha (Bir Rawha) is available to drink

Bir Rawha – view looking down the well

13. AL-MUSAYJEED
Al Musayjeed mosque
Al-Musayjeed is another location where the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬stopped with the Sahabah
on the way to the Battle of Badr. They prayed salah where the ruins of this mosque
now stands.
The old name for this area is ‘Al-Munsarif’, which means ‘to leave’.
After leaving Al-Munsarif the Muslim army passed through Al-Wastah and then
through the valley of Al-Safra.
Entry point of Al-Wastah – Photo: @Islam91 (Twitter)
Wadi Al-Safra – Photo: @Islam91 (Twitter)

14. WADI DHAFIRAN
Wadi Zafiran
The Wadi Dhafiran is a valley outside the boundaries of Madinah. It is where the
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬consulted with the Ansar after it became clear the Muslims will be
engaging in battle with the Quraysh.
[Read about the previous landmark associated with the Battle of Badr: Al-
Musayjeed]
Abu Sufyan was able to execute a manoeuvre, which allowed him to avoid the
Muslim army and move past the point where they couldn’t intercept his caravan. He
then sent word to the Qurayshi army to let them know he had successfully evaded
the Muslims and their goods and money was safe. He advised them to head back to
Makkah where he would meet them.
Some of the Quraysh, when they received this news, left to go back to Makkah
because they had no interest in engaging in fighting. However, Abu Jahal would not
hear of it. He hated the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the
Muslims and saw this as an opportunity to exterminate them. He swore that they
would not return before they had remained three days by the well of Badr to
celebrate, so that none would make the mistake of thinking they had returned out of
fear, and so that all the Arabs would hear of their illustrious march. In Surat al-Anfal,
Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬revealed, “And do not be like those who came forth from their homes
insolently and to be seen by people and avert them from the way of Allah. And Allah
is encompassing of what they do.” [8:47]
The plain of Wadi Dhafiran – Photo: mapio.net

When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬heard that the Quraysh had set out from Makkah to stop the
Muslims, he consulted his companions. Abu Bakr and Umar (‫ )رضي هللا عنهم‬both
gave their opinions, and Miqdad bin Amr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬voiced the prevailing
sentiment: “O Prophet, we will not say what the Children of Israel said to Musa
(‫)عليه السالم‬, “Go forth, you and your Lord and do battle. We will be waiting here.”
[Quran 5:24]. “We will do battle on your right on your left and in front of you and
behind you.”
Miqdad’s words gladdened the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬with their sincerity; for he had worried,
the Ansar would fight in defense only if they were attacked in Madinah. After all,
the second Pledge of Aqabah did not call for the Ansar to fight alongside the Prophet
(‫ )ﷺ‬outside Madinah.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬then asked the men if they all agreed. The Ansar fully understood
the reason why he was concerned about them. Sa’d ibn Mu’adh (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬replied,
“It seems that you are alluding to us. Perhaps you fear that the Ansar do not think
that they have to help you outside their own territory. I speak for the Ansar and
answer for them. Go where you wish, join whom you wish and cut off whom you
wish. Take what you wish from our property and give us what you wish. What you
take from us is dearer than what you leave. Whatever you command, we will follow
it. By Allah, if you were to travel until you reached Bark Ghamdan, we would go
with you. By Allah, if you were to cross this sea, we would plunge into it with you.”
The Prophet rejoiced at his words; and the certainty came to him that they would
indeed have to contend with either the army or the caravan but not with both. The
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “I bring you glad tidings from Allah. He has promised me either
booty from the caravan or victory on the battlefield. By Allah, there is a vision
before me of a battlefield, and I see the exact place where each man will fall.”
15. KATHEEB AL-HANNAN
Katheeb al-Hannan the sand mountain
This sand mountain, known as Katheeb al-Hannan, is where the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the
Sahabah first stayed when they arrived at Badr. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬spent the whole
night here asking Allah for His help.
[Read about the previous landmark associated with the Battle of Badr: Wadi
Dhafiran]
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬knew that it was vital for them to reach the wells of Badr before the
Quraysh army. As they marched, it began to rain, which he saw as a sign of favour
from Allah, a blessing and an assurance. The rain refreshed the men and made firm
the soft sand of the valley of Yalyal. It also impeded the enemy, who had also arrived
and were climbing the slopes of Mount Aqanqal, on the opposite side of the valley
from Badr.
The wells were on the gentler slopes of the near side, and the Prophet ordered a halt
at the first well they came to by Al-Udwat Ad-Duniya. However, Hubab ibn al-
Mundhir came to him and said: “0 Messenger of Allah, this place where we now
are – has Allah revealed it to you, that we should neither advance nor retreat from
it, or is it a matter of opinion and strategy of war?”.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said that it was merely a matter of opinion, whereupon Hubab said:
“This is not the place to halt, but take us on, 0 Messenger of Allah, until we come
to one of the large wells which is nearest the enemy. Let us halt there and stop up
the wells that lie beyond it and make for ourselves a cistern. Then we will fight the
enemy, and all the water will be ours to drink, and they will have none.” The
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬at once agreed, and Hubab’s plan was carried out in every detail. The
further wells were stopped and the cistern was built, and every man filled his
drinking vessel. The Messenger of Allah allowed the unbelievers to drink of this
water too.
View from the top of Katheeb al-Hannan – Photo: @_Islam91 (Twitter)

The Muslims then made a small enclosure of palm branches in which the Prophet
(‫ )ﷺ‬would stay while directing his men during the battle. This is where Masjid
Areesh now stands. A group of Ansar youths were put under the command of Sa’d
bin Mu’adh (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬to act as lookouts. After this, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬walked
around Badr with his men, saying, “This is the spot where so and so will fall in
battle tomorrow, God-willing”.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬spent the whole night preceding the day of the battle in prayer and
supplication at the foot of a tree. A gentle rain fell and lulled the men, weary after
their long march, into a refreshing sleep. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬recounts His favour to the
believers in the following verse of the Quran: “Remember how Allah enveloped you
with drowsiness to make you feel safe. He caused rain to descend upon you from the
heaven so you could clean yourselves-rain that also removed Satan’s influence,
strengthened your hearts, and made you stand firm in battle.” [8:11]
The Muslims arrived here on the Thursday night, on the eve of the battle.
Katheeb al-Hannan on the right viewed from the main road

16. MASJID AREESH
Exterior view of Masjid Areesh
Masjid Areesh is built on the site where the tent of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was pitched
during the Battle of Badr. The battle was directed from here.
Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬suggested that a shelter be built for the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
to function as headquarters for the Muslim army. He justified his proposal by saying
that if the Muslims were victorious, then everything would be satisfactory. In case
of defeat, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬would not be harmed and he could go back to Madinah
where there were more people who loved him and who would come out to help him.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬praised him and invoked blessings upon him, and the shelter was
fashioned with branches of palms. A squad of guards were chosen, primarily from
among the Ansar under the leadership of Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬to defend
the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.
Historic photo of Masjid Areesh with spring in front
In preparation of the battle on the night before (some scholars say on the morning
of), the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was in the tent that Sa’ad bin Mu’adh (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬had
constructed. Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬was with him. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬started making
dua (supplication) over and over again for hours saying, “O Allah, if you allow this
small group of devout believers to be destroyed and perished in the battlefield
tomorrow, you will not be worshipped in the earth, as you deserve to be
worshipped. O Allah, You promised me that you will grant me victory, so grant me
victory now. O Allah, we need Your help and victory now.”
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬raised his arms up to the sky so high that the shawl he was wearing
around his shoulders fell off. Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬picked up the shawl and put it
back on his shoulders. Then Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬embraced the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬from
behind and consoled him, “Ya Rasulullah, you have made enough dua to your
Rabb. He will fulfil His promise to you. He has fulfilled His promise to you.”
Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬was the main person appointed to watch over the
Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. The entire time the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was sitting and making dua, Abu
Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬was standing and had his sword drawn to watch over him and
make sure he was safe.
Interior of present day Masjid Areesh
When Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬was Caliph, he gave a khutbah where he said, “O people,
who is the bravest of all the people?”. The congregation replied, “You are, O leader
of the believers.” Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬replied, “When you say I’m the bravest of the
people, I might have been the most skilled fighter. I never faced anyone in battle
that I was never able to defeat. However, the bravest man that I have ever seen in
my entire life was none other than Abu Bakr (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬. We had built a tent for
the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬in the Battle of Badr. We asked, ‘Who will guard over the Prophet
so then nobody would dare go near him from the mushrikoon?’ Wallahi, nobody
from amongst us stepped forward faster than Abu Bakr. He drew out his sword &
stood right at the head of the Prophet to guard him. Anytime anyone even came in
the direction of the Prophet, Abu Bakr would immediately step forth in the
direction of that person. He was the bravest of all the people.”
‘Areesh’ refers to the shadow of date palms. The original mosque was located
approximately, where the mimbar is today.
Aerial view of Masjid Areesh

17. AL-AQANQAL
The Al-Aqanqal Mountain viewed from the site of Badr
Al-Aqanqal, also known as Udwatul Quswa, is a large hill where the Quraysh camp
was based during the Battle of Badr. It is on the western side of the Yalyal valley.
At midnight, between Thursday and Friday, the Quraysh army marched into Badr.
It had been raining the previous day and they struggled to move their horses and
camels up the hill of al-Aqanqal. After they descended from al-Aqanqal, the
Makkans set up another camp inside the valley.
When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬saw them coming down the hill known and into the valley he
said, “Oh, Allah! This is the Quraysh who have come with their vanity and their
pride, contending with You and calling Your Messenger a liar. Oh, Allah! Grant
me the victory, which You promised me. Oh, Allah! Destroy them on this
morning.”
The site of battle with al-Aqanqal in the background
While they rested, the Quraysh sent out a scout called Umayr ibn Wahb to survey
the Muslim lines. Umayr reported that the Muslim army was small, and there were
no other reinforcements who might join the battle.
However, he also predicted extremely heavy Qurayshi casualties in the event of an

attack. This further demoralized the Quraysh, as Arab battles were traditionally low-
casualty affairs. And set off another round of bickering among the Qurayshi
leadership. However, according to Arab traditions Abu Jahal quashed the remaining
dissent by appealing to the Quraysh’s sense of honour and demanding that they fulfil
their blood vengeance.
Close-up of al-Aqanqal
18. SITE OF THE BATTLE OF BADR
Aerial view of the site of the Battle of Badr
The battle of Badr was the most important and the first major battle the Muslims
fought. On Friday 17th Ramadhan 2 AH, the Muslim army, which numbered around
313, faced an army of 1,000 of the Quraysh. Through the help of Allah, the Muslims
emerged victorious.
[Read about the previous landmark associated with the Battle of Badr: al-Aqanqal]
In the morning of the battle, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬called his men to offer salah and then
urged them to fight in the way of Allah. As the sun rose over the desert, he drew up
his small army, and pointing with an arrow, which he held in his hand, arranged the
ranks.
Abu Jahl also prayed saying, “Our Lord, whichever of the two parties was less kind
to his relatives, and brought us what we do not know, then destroy him tomorrow.”
Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says about this supplication of Abu Jahl in Surah Anfal: “(Tell the
unbelievers :) If you have sought a judgement, then surely a judgement has come to
you…” [8:19]
Old view of the well of Badr

THIS IS HOW THE SAME AREA LOOKS TODAY:
Present day location of the well of Badr
The Quraysh were positioned opposite the Muslim lines their forces at Al-Udwat
Al-Quswa. A few of them approached, in a provocative manner, to draw water from
the wells of Badr, but were all shot dead except Hakeem bin Hizam, who later
became a devoted Muslim. The first of the disbelievers to instigate the battle was
Al-Aswad bin Abdul Asad Al-Makhzumi, a fierce bad-tempered idolater. He
stepped out swearing he would drink from the water basin of the Muslims, or to
destroy or die for it. He engaged in combat with Hamza (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, who struck his
leg with his sword and dealt him another blow that finished him off.
CHALLENGE TO SINGLE COMBAT
The Quraysh’s three best horseman, Utbah bin Rabi’a, his brother Shayba bin
Rabi’a, and his son Waleed bin Utbah, stepped forward and challenged the Muslims
to single combat. In response, three members of the Ansar came forward, but the
challengers were thirsty for the blood of the Makkan exiles and cried out, “We want
our cousins.” The Ansar withdrew, and Ubaydah bin Harith, Hamzah and Ali ( ‫رضي‬
‫ )هللا عنهم‬stepped forward to meet their challenge.
Hamza (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬faced Shayba, Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬stood before Waleed, and
Ubaydah (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬accepted Utbah’s challenge. Hamza and Ali (‫)رضي هللا عنهم‬
both killed their opponents with ease, but Ubaydah (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬and Utbah had
wounded each another, and neither had the upper hand. The other two ran to their
companion’s aid and killed his opponent, and then brought Ubaydah (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬,
who had lost his leg, back to their ranks. He later died of his injury at Safra’a on the
way back to Madinah.
Signage at the site of Badr

THE BATTLE OF BADR BEGINS
The Quraysh smarted at having lost several men before the battle had even begun.
They charged at the Muslims, who, encouraged by their early success, faced the
onslaught without flinching. Proclaiming Allah’s Oneness, the Muslims cried out:
“Ahad! Ahad!” [One! One!]
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was engaged in dua and Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬responded to his prayers by
sending an army of one thousand Angels.
These supernatural allies were visible to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬who turned to Abu Bakr
(‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬and said, “Rejoice, O Abu Bakr, Allah’s help has come. This is Jibraeel,
moving ahead with his horse’s bridle in his hand. His garments are besmeared with
dirt and dust.”
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬then marched forward toward the fray, and at that moment, the
following verse was revealed: “Soon will the multitude be put to fight, and they will
show their backs.” [54:45]
He then took a handful of dust and threw it at the Quraysh saying, “Let their faces
be disfigured.” The dust flew into the eyes and noses of the Quraysh, as mentioned
in the Quran: “It was not you who threw, but Allah.” [8:17]
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬ordered his men to attack, crying out, “Rise!”. The Muslims,
outnumbered three to one, were inspired when they saw that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬himself
was present among them and ready to fight. Supported by the invisible army of
angels, the Muslims swarmed over the Quraysh. The Quraysh fell one after another,
and soon they retreated in disarray. The Muslims followed in pursuit, slaying some
and capturing others.
Satan, who was also present in the guise of Suraqa bin Malik, saw the army of angels,
and escaped by plunging into the Red Sea.
Badr lies 130 km (80 miles) from Madinah.
Present site of the Battle of Badr

19. JABAL MALAIKAH (MOUNTAIN OF THE ANGELS)
Jabal Malaikah
This is Jabal Malaikah, which is located next to Katheeb al-Hannan. It is from this
mountain that the angels came to assist the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Sahabah during the
Battle of Badr.
[Read about the previous landmark associated with the Battle of Badr: Site of the
Battle of Badr]
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬raised his head and said cheeringly: “O Abu Bakr, glad tidings are
there for you; Allah’s victory has approached, by Allah I can see Jibraeel on his
mount in the thick of a sandstorm.” Then he recited the verse of the Quran: “Their
multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs.” [54:45]
500 angels came to the right side of the army, led by Jibraeel (‫)عليه السالم‬. The Prophet
(‫ )ﷺ‬sent Abu Bakr (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬to lead on the right flank. On the left side of the
army, there were another 500 angel, led by the angel Mikaeel (‫)عليه السالم‬. The
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬sent Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬on to that side to also lead the angels. In every
battle, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬sent angels for the comfort of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and the believers.
However, the only time the angels actually fought in the battlefield was in the Battle
of Badr.
Jabal Malaikah viewed from the top
Many narrations speak about the appearance of angels in the battle of Badr. It is
mentioned in Sahih Muslim that Ibn Abbas (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬said: “While on that day a
Muslim was chasing a disbeliever who was going ahead of him, he heard over him
the swishing of the whip and the voice of the rider saying: ‘Go ahead, Haizum!’
He glanced at the polytheist who had (now) fallen down on his back. When he
looked at him (carefully he found that) there was a scar on his nose and his face
was torn as if it had been lashed with a whip, and had turned green with its poison.
An Ansari came to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and related this (event) to him. He said: ‘You
have told the truth. This was the help from the third heaven.'”
Another incident is reported, where another man from the Ansar captured Abbas bin
Abdul Muttalib, who said: “O Messenger of Allah! By Allah, this man did not
capture me. I was captured by a man who was bald and had the most handsome
face, and who was riding a horse. I cannot see him here among the people“. The
man from the Ansar said: “I captured him, O Messenger of Allah!” The Prophet
(‫ )ﷺ‬replied: “Be quiet, Allah, the All-Mighty, strengthened you with the help of a
noble Angel.”
It is also reported that after the battle, the people used to recognize those who were
killed by the angels, by wounds over their necks, finger and toes, because those parts
had a mark as if they were branded by fire.
Front view of Jabal Malaikah

Jibraeel (‫ )عليه السالم‬approached Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬and asked him to take a
handful of dust and throw at the enemies.
The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬threw the dust saying, “Confusion seize their faces!” A violent
sandstorm blew into the eyes of the enemies and the handful of sand entered the eyes
of the idolaters, each one of them was struck by some of it, and it distracted them
making each of them busy. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says in Surah al-Anfal: “And you (O
Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)) threw not when you did throw but Allah
threw.” [8:17] meaning the handful of sand which the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬threw at the
disbelievers was not by his power and strength but it reached the eyes of the pagans
through the will of Allah.
20. BURIAL PLACE OF THE MARTYRS
OF THE BATTLE OF BADR
Aerial view of the burial place of the Shuhada of Badr
This aerial view, in the plain of Badr, shows the plot of land where the fourteen
Sahabah who were martyred in the Battle of Badr are buried. The site is not
accessible to the public.
The Muslims were victorious with the help of Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and his
companions fought bravery until the Quraysh suffered great loss and fled the
battlefield. They lost 70 of their best men and 70 were taken as prisoners by the
Muslims.
Only fourteen Muslims were martyred in this battle. The first to be martyred was
Umayr bin al-Humam (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬.
Historic photo of the burial place of the Shuhada of Badr
One of the youngest participants in the Battle of Badr was a boy called Umayr bin
Abi Waqqas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬. He had come out to fight but as he was only sixteen was
afraid the Prophet would not permit him to join the expedition. He tried to avoid
being seen but his elder brother, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, asked him what
he was up to. “I’m afraid that the Messenger of Allah will send me back when I
want to go. It might be that Allah will grant me martyrdom”, he answered. That
was indeed the case. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬did want to send him back because he was so
young but Umayr started weeping. His tears weakened the heart of the Messenger
of Allah who allowed him to go after all. Umayr was killed, the youngest martyr in
the expedition.
After the battle of Badr, the Muslims emerged as one powerful nation. The Battle of
Badr is a great example from our history that teaches victory does not depend on
numbers or collecting weapons and shields, Victory comes from Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Allah
(‫ )ﷻ‬mentions in Surah al-Baqara:
How often has a small group overcome a might host by Allah’s leave. And Allah is
with the patient. Quran (2:249)
Historic photo of the site of the Battle of Badr

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬informed his companions that Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬had already looked at those
who took part in the Battle of Badr said,”Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.”
It has been narrated on the authority of Rifa’ah Az-Zuraqi, one of the participants in
the Battle of Badr that Jibraeel (‫ )عليه السالم‬came to the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and said, “How
do you look upon the warriors of Badr among yourselves?” The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said,
“As the best of the Muslims,” or he said something similar. On that, Jibraeel ( ‫عليه‬
‫ )السالم‬said, “And so are the angels who participated in the Battle of Badr.”
21. MEMORIAL TO THE MARTYRS OF THE BATTLE OF BADR
List of martyrs in the Battle of Badr
This memorial, outside the site of the Battle of Badr, lists the names of the Sahabah
(companions of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬who were martyred that day. They were the first
Muslims to die in battle for Islam.
There are the names of the 14 Sahabah who gave their lives. The first six were
Muhajiroon (Emigrants), the other eight Ansar (Helpers):
 Umayr bin Abi Waqqas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬

 Safwan bin Wahb (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Zish Shamalain ibn ‘Abdi ‘Amr (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Mihja’ bin Salih (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Aaqil bin al-Bukayr (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Ubayda bin al-Harith (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Sa’d bin Khaythama (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Mubashshir bin ‘Abdi’l Mundhir (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Haritha bin Suraqa (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Rafi’ bin al-Mu’alla (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Umayr bin al-Humam (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Yazid bin al-Harith (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Mu’awwidh bin al-Harith (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
 Awf bin al-Harith (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬
22. BURIAL PLACE OF THE MUSHRIKEEN
OF THE BATTLE OF BADR
Present day location of where the mushrik of Badr were buried
This barren land, close to Masjid Areesh, is where it’s believed the mushrikoon
(pagans) of Makkah were buried following the Battle of Badr. The area is known as
‘Al-Qaleeb’.70 people from the side of the Quraysh were killed in battle, with
another 70 captured on the day of Badr. Among those killed were Abu Jahal and
Ummayah bin Khalaf, two of the worst enemies of Islam.
Historic well of Badr where the Mushrik were thrown in
Abdur-Rahman bin Auf (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬narrated that while he was fighting in the front
file on the day of Badr a young boy approached him and said, “Show me Abu Jahl.”
Abdul Rahman (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬replied, “What have you to do with him?” “I have
been told that he defames the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah on him). By
the One in whose hand my life lies, I shall kill him when I see him, or shall be
killed by him!” Another young boy told Abdul Rahman (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬the same thing.
Suddenly, Abdul Rahman (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬spotted Abu Jahl on the battlefield and
pointed him out to the two young boys. They attacked him fiercely with their swords,
and Abu Jahl fell to the earth. After the battle, they both presented themselves before
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah on him), each claiming to have killed Abu
Jahl. He looked at their swords and proclaimed, “Both of you have killed him.” The
young boys were Mu’adh ibn Afra and Mu’adh ibni Amr.
Abdullah bin Mas’ood (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, who found Abu Jahl dying on the battlefield,
placed his leg on his old enemy’s neck and caught hold of his beard to behead him.
“Hasn’t Allah disgraced you, Oh enemy of Allah?” Even as he lay dying, Abu Jahl
was unrepentant. “For what have I been disgraced? Is there anybody above the
man you have killed? I only wish someone other than a farmer had killed me. Tell
me, who was victorious today?”. “Allah and His Messenger,” Abdullah said. “O
herdsman! You have mounted a very difficult place,” Abu Jahl responded.
Abdullah (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬then cut his head off and placed it before the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah on him). “Allah is the Greatest! All praise are due to Allah,”
the Prophet cried. “He has proven His promise to be true, helped His servants, and
defeated the opposing army.” Gazing at Abu Jahl’s head before him, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah on him) said, “He was the Pharaoh of his nation.”
Barren area near where the mushrik of Badr were buried

Narrated by Abu Talha (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬: On the day of Badr, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah on him) ordered that the corpses of twenty four leaders of Quraysh
be thrown into one of the dirty dry wells of Badr. When he halted at the edge of the
well, he addressed the corpses of the Quraysh by their names and their fathers’
names, “O so-and-so, son of so-and-so and O so-and-so, son of so-and-so! Would
it have pleased you if you had obeyed Allah and His Apostle? We have found true
what our Lord promised us. Have you too found true what your Lord promised
you?” Umar (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬said, “O Allah’s Apostle! You are speaking to bodies
that have no souls!” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah on him) said, “By
Him in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, you do not hear, what I say better
than they do.”
While the Muslims were heading back to Madinah, the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah on him) received a revelation from Allah concerning the distribution of the
spoils of war. One-fifth of the booty was set aside for the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah on him), and the rest was to be distributed among those who
fought in the battle. He became the first prophet who was allowed to share in the
spoils of war.
Ruins of houses near the same area of Badr
Upon hearing the news of the great victory, many of the citizens from Madinah
traveled toward Badr in hopes of being the first to congratulate the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah on him). They met the victorious Muslims in Ruha, and
accompanied them back to Madinah. The sight of the triumphant Muslims entering
Madinah with dozens of captives led many people to become Muslims.
CONCLUSION
Islam is the country religion of Saudi Arabia. No law requires residents to be
Muslim, however, public worship by adherents of religions other than Islam is
forbidden. Any non-Muslim attempting to acquire Saudi Arabian nationality must
convert to Islam. Furthermore, Salafism is the official version of Sunni Islam and
adherence to other strands even within Sunnism is restricted. Saudi Arabia has been
criticized for its implementation of Islamic law and its human rights record.
According to a 2012 online poll by WIN-Gallup International, 5% of 502 Saudi
Arabians surveyed stated they were "convinced atheists".

REFERENCES
 The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani
 Fazail-e-Aamal – Sheikh Zakariyya Kandhalvi
 When the Moon Split – Shaykh Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Muhammad
(s.a.w.) the Last Prophet – Moulana Sayyed Hasan Ali Nadwi, The Life of
Muhammad (s.a.w) – Tahia Al-Ismail
 Fazail-e-Aamal – Sheikh Zakariyya Kandhalvi, Journey to the Sacred – Sheik
Hamza Yusuf, Wikipedia
 When the Moon Split – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Wikipedia
 The History of Makkah Mukarramah – Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Abdul Ghani,
Holy Makkah – Shaikh Safiur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Wikipedia

Islamic Landmarks in Saudi Arabia

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ISLAMIC LANDMARKS IN SAUDI ARABIA

RESEARCHED AND COMPILED BY: KASIRYE HAMZA

REVISED BY: ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION, KAMPALA, UGANDA.

DATE OF COMPLETION: 13th /February/2021

CONTACT US AT: +256751610185/+256772256273

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country in Western

Saudi Arabia is considered a regional and middle power.In addition to being a

ISLAM IN SAUDI ARABIA

Whether Salafis/Wahhabis are a majority in Saudi Arabia is disputed, with one

Public worship and proselytising by non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, including the

1.TOMB OF HAWA (‫)عليها السالم‬

Graveyard where Hawa (‫ )عليها السالم‬is said to be buried - Photo: ArabNews.com

Historic tomb of Hawa (‫)عليها السالم‬

Mada'in Saleh - Photo: theculturetrip.com

Exterior view of Masjid Jirranah - Photo: SkyscraperCity.com

Masjid al-Ji’rranah (Arabic: ‫ )مسجد الجعرانة‬is situated approximately 24km north-east

ORIGIN OF THE NAME JI’RRANAH

Interior of Masjid Jirranah

AN INTERESTING INCIDENT AT JI’RRANAH

Qiblah wall side of Masjid Jirranah

Grave of Maymoonah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬

Enclosure housing the grave of Maymoonah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬in Sarif

Front view of Masjid Abdullah bin Abbas (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬

SERVICE TO THE PROPHET (‫)ﷺ‬

memorizing his teachings.

Mehrab of Masjid Abdullah Ibn Abbas

QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE

to be known as ’Hibr-ul–Ummat’ (the most learned man of Islam) and ‘Bahrul

viewed as the most knowledgeable of the Companions in Tafsir.

DEATH OF ABDULLAH IBN ABBAS (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬

Khaybar deserted houses - Photo: Wikimedia Commons

House of Haleema (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬

Haleemah (‫ )رضي هللا عنها‬died in 8 AH and is buried in Jannatul Baqi in Madinah.

Old Hudaybiah mosque with new mosque in the background

THE PROPHET (‫ )ﷺ‬AND THE SAHABAH SET OUT FOR MAKKAH

Inside view of the old Hudaybiah mosque

NEGOTIATION WITH THE QURAYSH AT HUDAYBIAH

A HUMILIATING PEACE OR A CLEAR VICTORY?

Front view of Masjid Shumaysi

inside Masjid Shumaysi

9. THE WELL OF HUDAYBIAH

The Well of Hudaybiah

WATER GUSHES FROM THE WELL OF HUDAYBIAH

Looking down the Well of Hudaybiah

WATER GUSHES FROM THE PROPHET’S (‫ )ﷺ‬FINGERS

LOCATION OF THE WELL

Old Hudaybiah Miqat boundary markers

Grave of Aminah (‫)رضي هللا عنها‬

11. IRQ AL-ZABIYYAH

The plain of Irq al-Zabiyyah – Photo: R.U.Poonegar

The present Ar-Rawha mosque

The well of Rawha (Bir Rawha)

Water from the well of al-Rawha (Bir Rawha) is available to drink

Bir Rawha – view looking down the well

Entry point of Al-Wastah – Photo: @Islam91 (Twitter)

Wadi Al-Safra – Photo: @Islam91 (Twitter)

14. WADI DHAFIRAN

The plain of Wadi Dhafiran – Photo: mapio.net

15. KATHEEB AL-HANNAN