Encyclopedia of Islam

Medina

 

(Arabic, city; al-Madina al-

Munawwarah [the Radiant City], Madinat 

al-Nabi [City of the Prophet], Madinat  

al-Rasul [City of the Messenger])

Medina, which had a population of 918,889 in 

2006, is located in Saudi Arabia, 210 miles north of 

Mecca and about 120 miles from the Red Sea coast. 

The 

umma

, or religious community, was formally 

established in Medina after Muhammad’s emigra-

tion from m

ecca

 to Medina in 622 

c

.

e

. (called the 

h

iJra

), which became the first year of the Islamic 

Medina the Radiant. Traditional poster, with the Throne Verse from the Quran (Q 2:255) inscribed in the frame.

The prophet Muhammad’s mosque, encompassing his domed tomb, is shown in the center.