📅Filmed on December 2024
📍 Medina, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
🎥 walker: (1001 Walking Tours : youtube.com/@1001WalkingTours)

00:00 Quick preview 01:46 Masjid Nabawi at Sunset 06:08 Inside Masjid Nabawi 10:14 Around Masjid Nabawi at night 19:06 Back inside on the way of the rooftop of Masjid Nabawi 22:11 Rooftop of the Masjid Nabawi 28:30 Around Masjid Nabawi during the day 32:28 The green dome 36:13 Al Baqi Cemetery entrance 45:04 Between the hotels and the shops 01:02:05 Masjid Quba 01:04:35 Arīs pit 01:05:54 Inside Masjid Quba 01:11:24 Quba Walkway on foot 01:22:45 Quba Walkway by shuttle 01:27:03 Clock Tower place 01:33:40 Masjid Bilal 01:37:59 Between the hotels around Masjid An-Nabawi 01:43:20 Masjid Al-Ghamama 01:45:56 Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq 01:56:32 popular district of Medina 02:11:20 The Seven Mosques 02:16:05 Around the archers’ Hill Uhud (Jebel Uhud) 02:20:37 The Martyrs’ Cemetery of the Uhud Battle 02:26:00 The archers’ Hill Uhud (Jebel Uhud)

Heading towards Masjid Nabawi at dusk, surrounded by the serenity of the city, while the call to prayer echoes in the air
Let’s take a moment to introduce you to Medina, this sacred city, filled with peace and spirituality, where history and faith come together
Medina, also known as “Al-Madina Al-Munawwara” (the Enlightened City), is located in the Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia
It is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca
It is home to Masjid Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is buried, making this city a major pilgrimage destination for Muslims
Historically, Medina, formerly known as Yathrib, became an important center of Islam in 622,
when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions emigrated there during the Hijra
This migration marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar
The city was also the site of many key historical events, such as the drafting of the Constitution of Medina, which established a model of intercommunity coexistence
Medina experiences a desert climate, with very hot summers where temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F),
and mild winters ranging from 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F)
The city receives little rainfall, mostly during the winter
Today, Medina is a spiritual and cultural hub with a population of about 1.5 million residents
It is also a hub for pilgrims visiting the first mosque in Islam, the Quba Mosque, which we will visit later in the video,
and the Al-Baqi Cemetery, where many companions of the Prophet ﷺ are buried
The city is a symbol of faith, history, and serenity for Muslims worldwide
We now enter Masjid Nabawi through Gate No. 8, also known as King Saud Gate
The Masjid Nabawi, or Prophet’s Mosque, is a spiritual and architectural masterpiece
It is the second holiest mosque in Islam after Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca
Built in 622 after the Hijra, it was one of the first Islamic structures after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina
It served as a place of prayer, meeting, and even administration for the first Muslim community
Under the Rashidun Caliphs, the Umayyads, the Abbasids, and the Ottomans, the mosque underwent major expansions and renovations,
and under Saudi rule, the mosque was significantly expanded to accommodate millions of worshippers
The mosque is built around a large central courtyard surrounded by galleries, with luxurious materials such as marble and gold
The Green Dome, an iconic symbol of Islam, covers the sacred chamber where the Prophet ﷺ is buried
You will get a glimpse of this dome from outside the mosque later in the video
The mosque now has 10 minarets, each 104 meters tall, offering a majestic view of Medina
You will notice that the mosque is also an educational center, with regular classes and study circles held
Thousands of worshippers gather daily to perform the five prayers, especially during Ramadan and Hajj, when the atmosphere is filled with spirituality
Visitors often report a profound sense of serenity and spiritual connection in this sacred space
These small dispensers are Zamzam water dispensers, offering blessed water from the sacred Zamzam well
Its history is shared in my walking tour of the city of Mecca (Makkah)
Zamzam water is transported from Mecca to Medina by specialized tanker trucks that ensure its purity and quality
It is made available to worshippers free of charge
Let us return for a moment to the esplanade of Masjid Nabawi during an evening.
It is a vast open area surrounding the mosque, offering an outdoor prayer space and an atmosphere of serenity and spirituality.
The esplanade floor is covered with marble, known for its elegance and its ability to stay cool despite high temperatures.
It is equipped with numerous retractable umbrellas that provide shade to worshippers during sunny periods in the day and a powerful source of light in the evening.
The esplanade’s capacity allows it to accommodate tens of thousands of worshippers, especially during Friday prayers, Ramadan, and Hajj.
The esplanade is surrounded by shops and cafes, allowing worshippers and visitors to easily find food or buy souvenirs.
Let us return for a moment inside the Prophet’s Mosque ﷺ to access its terrace.
The terrace of Masjid Nabawi is a remarkable space that embodies both serenity and architectural ingenuity.
During peak periods, such as Ramadan and Hajj, the terrace is used to accommodate thousands of worshippers.
The terrace is often less crowded than the main spaces of the mosque, offering an ideal setting for personal reflection and prayers.
Situated at a height, the terrace benefits from a natural breeze, making it a pleasant space even during hot days.
Let us return outside, but this time during the day.
The umbrellas, now deployed, are an engineering marvel and a symbol of hospitality towards pilgrims.
These impressive structures, installed in 2010, serve to protect worshippers from Medina’s intense sun while maintaining an enjoyable airflow.
The esplanade contains 250 umbrellas, covering approximately 143,000 square meters.
Misters are integrated into some of these umbrellas, located in high-traffic areas, to ensure optimal freshness for pilgrims.
The Green Dome (Qubbat al-Khadra) is one of the most iconic architectural features of Masjid Nabawi.
This dome, located above the chamber of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is a symbol of great spiritual and historical significance in Islam.
However, it was not originally present. It was added in 1279 (678 AH) by the Mamluk Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun, centuries after the Prophet’s ﷺ passing.
At the time, the dome was made of wood and coated with white plaster. It was repainted green during the Ottoman dynasty in the 19th century, giving rise to its current appearance.
The dome marks the resting place of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, alongside his two close companions, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab.
Behind this wall lies the Al-Baqi Cemetery (Jannat Al-Baqi, or “Garden of Paradise”).
It is deeply rooted in Islamic history as many prominent Islamic figures are buried there,
including the Prophet’s ﷺ children, his wives, and thousands of his companions.
Most hotels are located just a few steps away from the mosque’s esplanade,
allowing easy and quick access to daily prayers, especially for the elderly and families.
The city hosts a variety of hotels, ranging from 5-star establishments to more modest accommodations.
Among the prestigious hotels are names like Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick, Hilton Medina, and InterContinental Dar Al Hijra.
At the foot of these hotels are various shops,
such as clothing stores, perfumeries, jewelry shops, food outlets, souvenir stores, and even large shopping malls.
Let’s continue our walk towards Masjid Quba, one of the most significant mosques in Islam,
and for good reason, as Masjid Quba is considered the first mosque built in the history of Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established it in the year 622 (the first year of Hijra) when he arrived in Medina during the Hijra (migration from Mecca).
The mosque has since been expanded and renovated multiple times over the centuries,
notably under the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman dynasties, and most recently by the Saudi government.
Beneath this slab lies the Aris well.
A famous anecdote tells of a ring belonging to the Prophet ﷺ, used as a seal to close his official letters, that fell into the Aris well after being passed on to the caliphs.
We are now entering inside the Quba Mosque.
According to a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, whoever performs ablutions at home, then goes to the Quba Mosque and prays there, will receive the reward of an Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage (Sahih Targhib no. 1181).
This hadith highlights the importance and blessings associated with visiting and praying in this mosque.
Let’s now head towards the center of Medina via the Quba Walkway.
This is a pathway connecting Medina to Masjid Quba, a popular route among locals and visitors.
For many, walking on this path is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who often traveled to Masjid Quba on foot.
The distance between Masjid Quba and Masjid Nabawi is approximately 3.5 km (2 miles), a journey that can be completed on foot in about an hour.
For this walking tour, we will cover part of this path on foot and part of it by shuttle.
Shuttles regularly traverse the Quba Walkway, connecting Masjid Quba to Masjid Nabawi,
providing pilgrims with a convenient and quick way to travel the 3.5 km between these two sacred sites.
This mosque is Masjid Bilal, a historic mosque named after Bilal ibn Rabah, the first muezzin (the one who calls to prayer) of Islam and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Although this mosque is not as large as Masjid Nabawi or Masjid Quba, it holds significant symbolic importance.
Masjid Al-Ghamama, located near Masjid Nabawi, is a small mosque rich in Islamic history.
Its name, meaning “the mosque of the cloud,” refers to a significant event in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The mosque is named after a miracle that occurred when the Prophet ﷺ prayed for rain. A cloud then formed to answer this prayer and covered the faithful, symbolizing divine blessing.
Just a few meters away from Masjid Al-Ghamama stands the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque,
named after one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), the first caliph of Islam.
The mosque is built on the site where Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) is believed to have led a communal prayer during the Prophet’s ﷺ stay in Medina.
The Seven Mosques, also known as Saba Masjid (Saba Masajid), are a complex of small historical mosques.
‘Saba’ means seven, and they were named so because the group originally consisted of seven mosques.
However, today, only six mosques are part of the complex.
Each of these six mosques has a historical connection to the Battle of the Trench.
The first mosque in the complex is Masjid Al-Fath,
the largest mosque in the complex, named due to the “Fatah” or victory during the Battle of the Trench.
Other famous mosques in the complex include Masjid Umar ibn Khattab, Masjid Ali bin Abi Talib, and Masjid Fatima Al Zahra, named after the Prophet’s ﷺ blessed companions.
By climbing the mountain near the Seven Mosques, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of Medina and its surroundings.
We will conclude our walking tour with a visit to Mount Uhud and its surroundings, a mountain iconic in Islamic history.
Mount Uhud is most famous for the Battle of Uhud, which took place in 625.
It was a crucial battle in the early history of Islam.
It saw the Muslim forces, led by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, facing the Quraysh of Mecca.
The Prophet ﷺ chose a strategic position at the base of Mount Uhud, placing 50 archers on a hill known today as Jabal Ar-Ruma (the Archer’s Hill).
Their mission was clear: protect the Muslims’ rear and prevent any surprise attack.
Initially, the Muslims gained the upper hand and routed the Quraysh forces. However, believing the battle to be won, some archers disobeyed the Prophet’s ﷺ orders and left their positions to collect spoils.
This allowed Khalid ibn al-Walid, still a pagan at the time and the commander of Quraysh cavalry, to launch a surprise attack from the rear.
This turning point caused chaos among the Muslim ranks. Several companions of the Prophet ﷺ were killed, and the Prophet himself was wounded.
Around 70 Muslims were martyred, including Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s beloved uncle.
Although victorious, the Quraysh forces did not pursue an attack on Medina and returned to Mecca.
Behind this enclosure is the cemetery of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, whose story I shared in the previous chapter.
Among the companions buried in this cemetery is the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle, Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, known as Asadullah (the Lion of Allah) for his bravery and central role in defending Islam.
We can see his tomb in the middle of the cemetery.
And we will conclude this walking tour at the hill where the 50 archers were positioned during the Battle of Uhud.
Thank you so much for reading until the end! I sincerely hope you enjoyed the subtitles.
If you’ve made it this far, don’t hesitate to write “Oud” in the comments—I’ll make sure to notice it! 😁
See you very soon for a new walking tour!