1 . The first name of Madina-tul-Munawwara was "Yasrab". Its' climate was not healthy. It was called the city of diseases and problems. Its' water had bitter taste. Viral diseases were very common here. No one liked to live here but The Last Prophet Muhammad sallalla ho allihi wasalam chose this city to live after leaving Makkah.
2 . After the arrival of Prophet Muhammad sallalla ho allihi wasalam this city became the city of pleasant weather and healthy atmosphere. Its' surrounding became peaceful and The Prophet sallalla ho allihi wasalam changed its' name from "Yasrab" to "Tayyaba" or "Munawwara". Prophet sallalla ho allihi wasalam ordered not to say this city "Yasrab" in future. If any body says it "Yasrab" by mistake, he must say "US-TUGH-FUR-ULLAH" (Almighty Allah may Apologize me) three times and must say "Madina-tul-Munawwara" ten times.
3 . In Arabic "MADINA" means "CITY". So, its full name is "Madina-tul-Munawwara" which means, The City of Lights. It is also called "Madina-e-Tayyaba" which means "The City of Purity".
4 . When Prophet Muhammad sallalla ho allihi wasalam came and settled in Madina he prayed Allah and begged Dua :
On one occasion Prophet Muhammad said that He Ssallalla ho allihi wasalam said that he had chosen "Madina" as his home (HARAM) same as Syedna Ibrahim (AH) had chosen Makkah for his Haram.
5 . Once Prophet sallalla ho allihi wasalam said that the man whose heart has"EMAN" (Trust / Belief), he would come here like a snake which runs towards its hole. On one occasion Prophet Muhammad sallalla ho allihi wasalam said, one who keeps patience over the difficulties and hardship during his stay in "Madina", He sallalla ho allihi wasalam will responsible to spare him from his faults on the Day of Judgement.
6 . Because of Prophet sallalla ho allihi wasalams' prayer (Dua), Madina-tul-Munawwar is now an attractive and modern city of the world. In the Night its' colourful lights are incredible. The green dome and coloured designed Minarets of "masjid-e-Nabvi" started to look as soon as one enters in the city. Modernly built fly-overs, bright under ground roads and beautifully organized trees, bushes and coloured fountains along with roads have enhanced its' beauty. Huge and big buildings, International Hotels and beautifully constructed apartments, double its attractive looking. Keeping aside its' spiritual and religious importance "Madina-tul-Munawwar" may be compared against other most modern cities of Europe and America.
HIJRA
MAP INDICATES EXACT ROUTE OF MIGRATION
7 . "Madina-tul-Munawwara" has an International Airport. It is not very near to "Masjid-e-Nabvi", however, taxies and busses are available to carry passengers to Haram 24 Hrs. This city is connected to all the big cities of Saudi Arabia and other cities of the world such as U.A.E., Yemen, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Seria, etc by road as well. The main bus terminal (MOQAF) is very near to "Masjid-e-Nabvi" where from the busses of Saudi Arabian Bus Transport Corporation (SABTCO) are available after every hour for pilgrims for rest of the cities of Saudi Arabia and other countries. Some private buses are also available near Haram. A number of hotels and motels and rooms are easily available for pilgrims stay. pilgrims must bargain before hiring rooms of hotels.
Mosque is fully air-conditioned and its unique air-conditioning plant is seven kilometer from mosque at an area of 70,000 square meter and is considered one of the largest in the world. The electric Umbrellas, designed by a muslim German Engineer, are fitted over open areas of Mosque where roof can't be constructed these umbrellas can be open and closed as desired by electric motors. The umbrellas, air-conditioning, domes and lights all are controlled by computer.
After two years of construction work and an initial
outlay of SR486 millon, the King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Qur'an Printing complex
on the madina Tabuk highway was inaugurated by King Fahd. Complex prints
38 million Qurans a year. The six million Qur'ans printed in Arabic at
the complex are donated to mosques, religious organizations, schools, universities,
hotels and local markets throughout the Kingdom. Pilgrims to the Holy Mosques
in Makkah and Madina recieve gift copies of the Qur'an. Copies are also
sent to Saudi Embassies and government offices and reilgious societies
aboard