SINCE I moved to Madina to work as an English teacher at Taibah University, my life has taken an unexpected turn for the better, which I want to share with everyone. Everyday passes slowly with time to sit and recollect thoughts. The people here are very hospitable. If you are depressed or worried, a five minute drive to the Prophet's Mosque will rectify that. We all know the status the city of Madina has in Islam, but what gave it that special status? This is the place that welcomed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he was driven out of his hometown, Makkah. The Ansar, inhabitants of Madina, opened their hearts and arms to Muslims who emigrated from Makkah. The brotherhood displayed then may never return, but until today the people of Madina have something special that you won't find anywhere else. We all know the tremendous love Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had for Medina. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has supplicated for Madina and its people. In a Hadith narrated in Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Allah to bless Madina with twice the blessings He bestowed on Makkah. Apart from the Prophet's Mosque, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is buried in Madina, numerous Companions are buried in Al-Baqi graveyard, the mount of Uhud is there, about which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the mountain loves us and we love it. When we visit Uhud, remembering the famous battle and the reality that several Companions are buried there is striking! The city itself is a great reminder that it was inhabited by the best generation of people, including our role model, the Last Prophet (peace be upon him). The first mosque built in Madina was Quba. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself built it and said that two units of prayer in it has a reward equal to that of performing Umrah. (Mustadrak Al-Hakim). Towards the end of time it has been narrated that Ad-Dajjal will appear who will claim that He is Allah and will mislead people. The Fitnah of Ad-Dajjal is the most severe of all trials and tribulations to come. However, despite seeming to have unbelievable powers, he will not be able to enter Makkah and Madina. Angels will guard the Two Holy places. People seeking refuge here will Insha Allah be protected. Finally, I would like to mention some Prophetic narrations on Madina mentioned in the book ‘Virtues of Madina' of Sahih Al-Bukhari (vol. 3, book 30). “Verily, belief (Iman) returns and goes back to Medina as a snake returns and goes back to its hole (when in danger).” “None plots against the people of Madina except that he will be dissolved (destroyed) like the salt is dissolved in water.” “There are angels guarding the entrances (or roads) of Madina, neither plague nor Ad-Dajjal will be able to enter it.” “O Allah! Bestow on Madina twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah.” “There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al
