Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 3

Chapter One 3 1. Ḥijāz : Ḥijāz is a famous mountainous region along the Red Sea spreading from Yemen to Syria. Makkah, Madīnah, Ṭā’if, and Jeddah are located in this region. 2. Yemen : Yemen , because of its mountain streams, is a very green and fertile land towards the south of Arabia. The nation of Sheba 1 mentioned in the Qur’ān once occupied this land. San‘ā’ is a famous city of this land. Aden and Al- Ḥudaidah’s seaports are also part of this land. Najrān is an adjoining city towards the northwest of Yemen. The Christians of this area were invited by Muḥammad sa to a prayer duel. 3. Najd : Najd is a vast and fertile land in central Arabia. The tribes of Ghaṭafān and Sulaim, which will be mentioned later in this book, occupied this land. Yamāmah, which is towards the southeast of Najd, is famous because Musailamah, the Liar, a false claimant to prophethood, was born in this province. He was killed during the time of Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq ra by Waḥshī, (who had killed Hamza ra , uncle of Muḥammad sa prior to accepting Islam). 4. Khaibar : Khaibar is a small region northwest of Ḥijāz. It was a major center for the Jews during the time of Muḥammad sa. Taimā, which is to the northeast of Khaibar, was also mainly Jewish. The famous historical place of Al- Ḥijr or Madā’in Ṣāliḥ is located close to Taimā. The nation of Thamūd 2 lived at this place and their destruction is attributed to their denial of Ṣāliḥ as. When Muḥammad sa passed this place on his way to the Battle of Tabūk, he asked the revered companions to throw away the dough made with the water of this place and depart quickly. The 1 An-Naml 27:23. 2 Al-A’rāf 7:79.