Date: 04 September 2016

Presenter: Ml Ubaidullah Bhoja

Guests: Ml Muhammad Ameer; Ml Yunus Ali; Ml Abdullah Jeenah

The glory and the grandeur of the city of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), Madinah Munawwarah is unparalleled. As many of the Hujjaj performing hajj this year have already visited Madinah, many for the first time in their lives, this week’s panel discussion focused on the blessings of this great city.

Ml Muhammad gave a brief overview of the etiquettes of visiting the city of Madinah Munawwarah as given in the discourses of Hazrat Ml Muhammad Faruq ra. The city of Madinah; previously known as Yathrib, became the most illuminated city after the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). There are many historical sites to visit in Madinah Munawwarah and in the Masjidun Nabawi itself; the most important being the Rowdhah Mubarak, the final resting place of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), Abu Bakr RA and Umar RA. We should renew our shahadah when visiting the grave of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and conduct ourselves with utmost humility and respect when standing before him (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).

The other important site is the Rowdhatul Jannah, where we are required to pray for entrance into Jannah. The green dome is a well-known symbol of this great city, and when Muslims from around the world recite salawaat upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), angels descend upon this dome bringing the durood to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Ziyaarat to the different historical places in Madinah should be done with the intention of hoping for death with Iman. When a person is in Madinah, he comes physically close to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), therefore when visiting Madinah, a person should also desire spiritual closeness to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Ml Muhammad shared some of his own personal experiences on his trips to Madinah Munawwarah. There is a great sense of awe from the moment a person enters Madinah, there is a great spiritual effulgence and atmosphere in this city. The way a person conducts himself in Madinah Munawwarah is of utmost importance; we should walk and talk softly and be very respectful in this city.

Ml Yunus discussed the purpose and objective of his building of a museum of Madinah Munawwarah; which was to expose the Sunnah lifestyle of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) to the youth. The museum covers the daily life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) by reconstructing objects and item used by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Different sites to visit in the city, as well as many of the Sahabah RA’s homes, are highlighted at the museum. The simplicity of the living conditions of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and the Sahabah RA are also showcased at the museum. Ml Yunus mentioned that the virtues and bounties of the city of Madinah are due to the fact that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) is buried there; it has a magnetic pull for the ummah. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) loved Madinah and when he was away from it, his heart would yearn for this Mubarak city. After the city of Makkah, there is no place on earth that is more blessed than the city of Madinah. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) resided for 13 years in Madinah and there are many places around the city that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) performed different actions at.  Many great Sahabah RA are buried in the graveyard of Madinah; Jannatul Baqi. Ml Yunus concluded the discussion with a dua for this Mubarak city.

Ml Abdullah Jeenah, a resident of Madinah, gave an insight on what it feels like to be there all the time. The feeling of happiness and joy is never lost even for those who live there; but a degree of caution must be exercised; one must constantly strive to stay away from sin. Ml Abdullah mentioned the opportunity residents of the city of Madinah get to make salaam to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) when the crowds are less. However giving salaam to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) is not dependent on crowds but rather on the manner in which one conveys the salaam. Living in this Mubarak city is challenging but the blessings and peace to be found in Madinah Munawwarah far outweighs the challenges. Ml Abdullah also mentioned the change in focus of visitors to Madinah; whereas previously many people would spend their time in the shopping malls, nowadays more people are realizing the main purpose of visiting Madinah. It is imperative to visit this Mubarak city with a sincere intention to change one’s life onto the Sunnah lifestyle of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).

Every part of Madinah Munawwarah, its sands, its trees, its lands, its foods and even its air is spiritual. Ml Ubaidullah concluded with a dua asking that each one of us be given the opportunity to visit this blessed city, the city of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).