Medina the Early Political Centre of Islam

Medina the Early Political Centre of Islam

Medina is located in Saudi Arabia. It is also known by other names, such as Al-Madinah or Yathrib. The name Medina is associated with Islam. It is a city which is regarded as holy by Muslims. Medina played host to Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) when he migrated to the city. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) established the religion of Islam and ordained rules for the religion. The mosque of the Prophet and his tomb are in Medina.

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Medina was the centre of religious and political activity in the early stages of establishing the religion of Islam. The holy Prophet built the Quba mosque near Medina. He also built another mosque now popularly known as Masjid al-Nabawi. The features of this mosque are followed to this day for building new mosques. The Prophet used this mosque to preach about the supreme God, Allah. He used a pulpit to preach. This pulpit was a three-step platform and is now built in all mosques. It is called minbar.

Medina is the city which helped the Holy Prophet in persuading the people to stop warring with each other. There were many tribes which used to fight with each other. The Prophet helped to unite these tribes and establish unity. The prophet lived near the Masjid. He held compromising talks which later helped him to conquer the rebels in Mecca. Military plans were formulated in Medina. Medina was the prime city of importance both religiously and politically because it played host to historical decisions of the prophet.

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The incessant fights between tribes resulted in prisoners of war. They were held in Medina. The followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) looked after the wounded people. They lived in huts and tents near the Masjid. The confronting tribes were united because of the efforts of the Holy Prophet. He succeeded in transforming their minds through his divine revelations. The Holy Prophet and his followers lived in perfect harmony with each other. The Prophet’s course of life in Medina became an inspiration to all people in and around Medina. The holy prophet formed the constitution of Medina, which changed the course of the political history of the Middle East.

The Umayyad dynasty became a strong force in Islam and changed the seat of power from Medina to Damascus in 661. The mosque of the Prophet was modified by the Umayyad ruler Umayyad Caliph al-Walid and later by the Abbasids of Baghdad. Medina lost its political importance but still retained its power as the center of Islamic jurisprudence. The oil revolution in the Middle East has changed the face of the city of Medina. The mosque of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is located in the center of the holy city, and pilgrims who visit Mecca visit Medina also.

[I had written this a long time ago, for edu purposes in 2011. If there are any changes now, please update me]

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