Al-Ula and Madain Saleh, Madinah.

Wednesday, 25th Feb 2009 – Today after breakfast we packed our gear and assemble at the hotel Dallah Taibah lobby, as our tour schedule will be to Al Ula and Madain Saleh, which is about 400 kilometres from Masjid An Nabawi. We were told that, we will be staying at Arac Hotel in Al Ula City for one night; travel time took 4-5 hrs depand on the traffic

The Old Islamic City af Al Ula
At 7.30 am everybody was ready, so we board 45 sitter bus and off we go. On the bus, our mutawif read doa safar and followed by us, as I looked outside through the bus window there were dates palms along the way to al Ula my mind keep on thinking that Madinah and its surrounding area were very famous for dates and grapes. Especially Bruneian, they would take home the “Ajwa dates” in boxes as this dates were believe planted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),but not only Bruneian other Asian pilgrimage too.

Amir ibn Sa’d narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “He who eats seven Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 5130). ‘Ajwa dates, from Madinah, were the favorite of the Prophet. (PBUH)
There is a lot of best date produce in Madinah Six of the leading varieties from diverse regions of the kingdom: sekki, sukkari, Ajwa, dekieri, nubout sayf and khlas,

Varities of Dates
The rutab stage is when the dates are artially or fully ripened. Half or all of the date turns light brown and very soft in this category are khlas, gharr and khunaizi.Tamr is the stage when all of the date turns dark brown and sticky with its sugary syrup. Khlas is an excellent tamr .The last stage is called tamr yabis, or dry dates. At this point, the dates have turned dark brown, tough and lacking in dibs. (Dibs is a dates syrup)

We arrived Al Ula around 11.45 am, and we check in at Arac Hotel, as soon as everything clear we had lunch at the hotel restaurant, then after Zohor our tour begin to Madain Saleh and Thamud village. On the way our tour guide Local Arab starts telling the history of this area in English. Before we go to Madain Saleh we pass by through Old Islamic City the northern and southern part of Al Ula, they called it Al Deera, which goes back to the 7th century H/11th A.D. The building material was reused stone brought from archaeological site, Al Khuraiba located nearby. Many of the Lihyanite inscribed stones, alters, stone blocks can be seen today in existing houses. The houses were lined side by side to form an outer enclosure wall to protect the city against enemy attacks. We could still see the ruin houses all the way to the old city and today the Saudi government had restored the houses to maintain the existing of the Thamud tribe for historical purposes, its was amazing scenario to my life time, and I couldn’t believed myself that I am here in reality in a rare example of Old Islamic City.

At Al Ula City (Behind me)

Major renovation works to restore the Old Islamic City houses

Al-Ula is one of the most interesting Saudi Arabia Tourist Attractions., previously known by the name of Dedan but has now acquired the modern name of Al-Ula.

Al-Ula retained its importance as the center of Saudi Arabian Civilization till the 1st Century B.C. when its position was taken over by the Madain Saleh.however, the place still retains it historical significance as one of the most ancient sites in the country. The place has several evidences of primeval settlements; there are many inscriptions to be found here in Thamudic and Dedanit scripts that tell people a lot about the civilization and culture that had once dominated this region. This place is dotted with rugged mountains that have various interesting and beautiful carved tombs that have geometric designs on them. The famous among these is the Lion Tomb. Al Ula is also characterized by its attractive natural scenery marked by the reddish sandstone inselbergs carved by natural agencies into beautiful and attractive shapes. Sand dunes and inselbergs combined together to form a wonderful display of thrilling nature. During winter and spring, after the rain, the area turns into green fields attracting the inhabitants and visitors from outside the region (the tour guide told.)

Me with Hj Hashim at Old Islamic City

There are also other ancient structures to be found in this region such as forts, dams and wells. The architecture of these constructions reflects the influence of Greek, Roman and Assyrian style.

The Thamud People
The Thamud were a people of ancient Arabia who were known from the 1st millennium BC to near the time of Muhammad. Although they are thought to have originated in southern Arabia, Arabic tradition has them moving north to settle on the slopes of Munear Madain Saleh. Numerous Thamudic rock writings and pictures have been found on Mount Athlab and throughout central Arabia. The oldest known reference to Thamud is a 715 BC inscription of the Assyrrin king Sargon II which mentions them as being among the people of eastern and central Arabia subjugated by the Assyrians.
They are referred to as "Tamudaei" in the writings of Ariston, Ptolemy and Pliny.

The Tomb

In the Qur’an, Aad and Thamud are always mentioned together. Moreover, the verses advise Thamud to take warning from the destruction of Aad peoples.
To the Thamud people (We sent) Saleh, one of their own brethren: He said: "O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him" "And remember how He made you inheritors after the Aad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth.
(Qur'an: 7:73–74)

To the Aad People (We sent) Hud, one of their own brethren. He said: "O my people! Worship God! Ye have no other god but Him. You are only forgers. "O my people! I ask of you no reward for this (Message). My reward is from none but Him who created me: Will ye not then understand? "And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you skies pouring abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: So turn ye not back in sin!" They said: "O Hud! No clear (Sign) hast thou brought us, and we are not the ones to desert our gods on thy word! Nor shall we believe in thee! "We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with evil." He said: "I call God to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing to Him, "Other gods as partners!"

(Qur'an 11:50-55)

This verse suggests some kind of relationship between Aad and Thamud, and Aad may even have been a part of Thamud's history and culture. Just as Nuh's, people were seen as the ancestors of Aad, it seems Aad were seen in a similar relation to Thamud. (Thamud people from Prophet Saleh PBUH)

Water reservoir (Behind me the mount were they keep water), The Thamud people

The Aad were a people living in southern Arabia. Some remains of Thamud were found in the region where Aad had lived, especially around the region where capital city of the Hadramites, the descendants of Aad, stood. (Aad people from Prophet Hud PBUH)

Hj Hashim, Me and Pg Salleh Ab.Rahman at Diwan of the Thamud people, Madain Saleh

Mammoth Rock
Inscriptions and graffiti are widely spread on the sides and summits of Jabal Al Ula covering the prehistoric period and ancient civilizations writings: Lihyanite, Minean, Aramaic, Nabatean as well as Islamic.

The Train

Al Khuraiba, is one of the sites attributed to the Kingdom of Lihyan, which dominated the area during the period between the 6th and 2nd century B.C. Pottery shreds of different types and forms are widespread in the site area. Stone altars, incense burners, stone and statues with Lihyanite inscriptions have been found. Inhabitants in building Al Ula old city reused inscribed stones and other objects. There is a circular basin carved in one piece of sandstone rock believed to be a part of Lihyanite temple. There are also a large number of tombs, each is a room containing a number f graves or simply a single shaft for one person. Some of the tombs have inscription bearing the name of the owner. One of the most known tombs is Al Usud (the lions), which is characterized by two lions carved on the side of the tomb.

Me with the tour guide at old tarin station


Our tour end at about 5.30 pm , and back to Arac Hotel in Al Ula city, so we could catch our SolatAsar prayer before its end, Well, its very tiring , cold and dusty wind (sand) , but whatever it is, its worth what I had imagine.

At night we had nothing to do , so stayed in the hotel do solat Maghrib and Ishya at the Hotel surau and after dinner we were invited to watch a movie “ Lawrence Of Arabia” at the hotel hall, this movie is related with the Al Ula City during world war 1 and where the British empire involved in the middle east affair, I 've seen this picture many times during my school days at SOAS College Auditorium, so me and my friend didn’t watch the movie and went sleep early because we have to go back to Madinah after Suboh Prayer the next day.

TO BE CONTUNIE………………..To Makkah Al Mukkaramah

Umrah 2009

Allahmdulilah, Once again by Allah's will I had arrived to the Islamic Holy land of Makkah Al Mukkaramah and Madinah Al Munawarah but this time my Umrah trip was different as previously, I had signed up the package with the Darussalam Holding Sdn Berhad as a tourist paying sum of $3,570.00 for 15 days including touring Al Ula and Madain Saleh in Madinah apart from religious places and other historical places in Madinah and Makkah as common arrangement by haj and Umrah travel agencies in Brunei Darussalam, I did enjoy this package but frankly its tiring due to flight schedules and other arrangements.

As the program schedule:-

23rd Feb 2009 , BWN-SIN 1800hrs and arrived Singapore 2000hrs local time and had to stayed at Changi Airport for 3 hours. (on transit)

24th Feb 2009 , SIN- JED via Saudia Airline at 2320hrs. Arrived King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah at approximately 0523hrs (Saudi Time), yes, it was fajar and after custom and immigrations procedure I went for Solat Suboh at the airport Surau with the rest of the Ja’amah Umrah, after solat 0730hrs, we board 45 sitter bus to go Madinah Al Munawarah.

As for Muslims Madinah is the city of the Prophet MUHAMMAD SAW, and also his burial place. It was the first Islamic city to support the Prophet (peace be upon him), and it joined him in fighting decisive battles which were instrumental in the victory of Islam and its subsequent spread. As history was told this is the city of the Ansar, or "Supporters' and their brothers the Muhajireen, or "Emigrants", who together formed the first Islamic army which entered Makkah in triumph eight years after the Prophet's Hijrah,
or Migration. It was a city which loved the Prophet, and which he in turn loved. On its soil he built his sacred mosque, and it was here that he was buried. It was the seat of the first Islamic state, and witnessed the Prophet's companions administering the affairs of the Muslim community, compiling the Holy Quran, and dispatching armies to Persia, Syria and Egypt.

The King, government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia take pride in serving and developing it in keeping with its distinguished status in Islamic history.

I don’t have to elaborate much of this City I think most muslims and non muslims knew the history of this city.

On top of Jabal Rahmat, Makkah

We arrived Madinah at 1125hrs local time, and check in at Hotel Dallah Taibah, which is close with the prophet’s Masjadil An Nabawi about 3 to 5 minutes walk (fast walk).

I with Haji Hashim 68 years old friend from Kg Sengkarai, Tutong attend Zohor prayer at Masjadil An Nabawi and after solat Zohor and taking a chance of praying at Rawdah, 2 raakat solat Ba’diatan Zohor, then we went to visit the prophet’s Muhammad SAW grave and Saydina Abu Bakar and Saydina Umar grave. Abu Hurariah narrated that the messenger said “One prayer performed in my masjid is better (in reward) than one thousand prayers elsewhere, except in the Masjadil Haram of Makkah (Bukhari &Muslim)

25th Feb 2009 Madinah, Darusalam Holding Package include Ziarah around historical places in Madinah as our first tour around Madinah this morning is to

MASJID QUBA.

It has been narrated that the Phrophet (peace be upon him) used to ride camel and visit Quba every saturday and monday. The Phrophet said " Whoever perform abulution at home, then go to Quba mosque to perform Solat therein, will get reward as same as "Pahala Umrah."

It has also been said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever prays in Quba' Mosque on Monday and Thursday is given the reward as for Umrah."

I pray 2 rakaat tahiiyatul masjid and 2 raakat solat Doha at Masjid Quba, we were given 20 minutes for this purpose, as everything had been done our next destination is Jaabal Uhud.

JABAL UHUD.

It lied to north of Madinah and located 4 kilometers away from the Holy Prophet's Mosque . Uhud has an attractive look. The Prophet (peace be upon him) felt relieved on seeing it, and the people of Madinah also loved it very much. In 3 a.h. Jabal Uhud was the scene of the famous Battle of Uhud. The battlefield was the space between the southwestern base of Jabal Uhud and Jabal Aynayn, a distance of about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles). On arrival at the foot of Jabal Uhud we give salam and read doa for Saydina Hamzah which was buried at Jabal Uhud.

Jabal Uhud is also called the Archers’ Mount because it was the field where the steadfast archers in the Battle of Uhud were killed. The people of the Quraysh, upset at their defeat in the Battle of Badr in 2 a.h., wanted to avenge their dead. In coalition with some other tribes, they gathered a large force to attack the Muslims in Madinah. They positioned themselves near the hills of Uhud.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) marched out with the Muslims to confront them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took up his position below the hill. He (peace and blessings be upon him) arrayed the army in fighting formations, and fifty archers were posted on Mount `Aynayn under the leadership of `Abdullah ibn Jubayr to guard the army from any attack from the rear. They had strict orders not to leave their post, whatever the outcome of the battle.

The two armies engaged in fighting. The Muslims seemed to have won victory over the Makkans, who fell back in disorder after paying a heavy toll. The Muslims started gathering the booty. Thinking that the fight was over, the majority of the Muslim archers left their posts to gather the spoils, disregarding the orders of their leader to stay in their positions.

Camel ride at Jabal Rahmat, Makkah (Me and Hj Hashim)

On seeing the archers leaving their posts, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, who had not yet embraced Islam, seized the opportunity and gathered a group of the Quraysh fighters, killed the rest of the archers, and launched a furious attack from the rear. The Muslims were taken so much by surprise that they did not know what to do. In the general military their ranks got disorganized. Seventy of the Prophet’s Companions, including Hamza ibn `Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle (may Allah be pleased with them), were killed.

After the battle was over, the martyrs were buried in the field of the battle. The Prophet (peace be upon him)had visit their graves and pray for them.

The Muslims have followed in the footsteps of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in that regard. Jabal Uhud had a special place in the heart of the Prophet (peace be upon him). There were many hadiths had said regarding the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about his visit to their grave.

Qatadah reported from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Uhud is a mountain which loves us and which we love.”

We were given around 20-30 minutes to tour this area and to get Tabaruk and I with my friend, Haji Hashim climbed this Mount Uhud to memories the history and scenery what history had been told. So we left Jabal Uhud with memories next destination Masjid Qiblatain.

MASJID QIBLATAIN
This Famous mosque Called "Mosque with Two Qiblah" located in Madinah few kilometers away from Masjid An Nabawi. This is one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history. It had two Mihraps. One Mihrab is facing "bait al-Maqdis" and the other facing towards Kaabah "Makkah". As in the Quran said surah Baqarah verse 2:143 & 2:144. Today the mihrap facing towards Bait Al Maqadis had been removed by the Saudi Government on religious purposes.

"Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven. So We shall surely turn you to a "qiblah" you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and where ever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the book most surely know that it is truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do." (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:144)

"We decreed your former qiblah only in order that we might know the Prophet’s true adherents and those who were to disown him. It was indeed a hard test, but not for those whom Allah guided." (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:143)
We were allowed to tour this place for 30 minutes and solat tahyaitul masjid and solat Doha.

On top Jabal Rahmat, Makkah (Me with Pg Salleh Ab Rahman)

The next destination is Masjid Tujuh area of Khandak Village, here we don’t get down as our bus just pass by this area and our mutawif retold the story of Khandak war and the 7 mosques, so we hurried to Tamar Souk, the area on left side of Masjid Al Gamma, the history was told that when prophet Muhammad SAW pray in this area during the sunny day some dark cloud covered Rasullah to keep him from the heat of the sunny day, and the people of Madinah built a mosque where Rasullah had perform solat. Our time is up its 11.00 am and we had to go back to the hotel to prepare for Zohor prayer. Our touring season end up here and our daily activities in Madinah al Munawarah is as usual and tomorrow we will be going to Al Ula and Madain Saleh which is 400kms from Masjadil An Nabawi.

TO BE continue………