Al-Madinah: Names and History

It is also known by the name Taibah, derived from the Arabic word meaning kindness.

Another name it goes by is Dar Al-Hijra (Arabic for Land of Migration) because it is where the Prophet migrated. The tribes of Banu Matraweel and Banu Hauf were the first settlers to inhabit and cultivate the oasis of Madinah.

Both tribes descended from the lineage of Shem, the son of Prophet Noah.

Many years later, the Yemeni tribes of Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj arrived in Madinah.

In 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) immigrated to Madinah, he introduced the Madinah Charter, which is the first ever written constitution in the history of humankind.

Madinah was the centre and capital of the Islamic Empire during the time of Prophet Muhammad and the first four Righteous Caliphs after him.

With the beginning of Umayyad rule, the Islamic state was transferred to Damascus.

References

• “Medina History.” Encyclopedia Americana. Vol. 18. 587–588.
• “Medina.” Sacred Destinations. Accessed 18 Aug. 2010.