If there’s any place where one may find peace aside from searching in the inner chambers of the heart, there is a silent city which offers immense tranquility, liberating one’s soul from the clutches of this anguished world: Madinatul Nabi; the city of Madina Munawwara. Also known as the ‘city of the Prophet’ and ‘the radiant city’.

I remember visiting this historically significant city when I was a 20 year old and have vivid recollections of this composed place. I recall the city was small and quiet. The Prophet’s (Pbuh) mosque was of a moderate size with a courtyard filled with pigeons, whom visitors would often feed. The approach towards the façade of the mosque was lined with shops from one end of the street to the other. The road was dotted with ice-cream shops, cold drinks and even offered our very own Pakistani brand of biryani.

However, today, the landscape of Madina has undergone some transition. In essence it still retains its calm flavor and the very feel of the city is steeped in history. Madina till date wears a garb of culture which narrates the stories of the Ansar period. The overall expanse and area has edged outwards in terms of its size and development. The city’s stillness has been gradually replaced with some hustle and bustle, while the shops have all vanished.

Masjid al Nabwi which earlier used to be relatively small, has been expanded to accommodate a greater number of people. Infact, it’s amazing how every year the city houses millions of pilgrims. The surrounding places have all been absorbed in the mosque. Post reconstruction and extension of the Prophet’s mosque, it makes for a good walk to reach the actual mausoleum.

Despite the structural metamorphosis of Madina, the city hasn’t lost the serene ambiance that it has always exuded. One can still find it to be the best place for spiritual catharsis. No soul in its precincts can be restless. The placidity of the environment wraps every being in its blissful harmony. The refreshing quietitude grips every visitor into a trance-like state, conducive enough for one to engage in rejuvenating self introspection.

The city is pervaded with an aura of felicity, bliss, blessedness, saintliness, exaltedness, transcendence, rapture and euphoria. There are parallels that people often draw between Madina and Makkah. Many proponents of Makkah subscribe to the idea that it reflects the ‘Awe’ of God whereas Madina elicits the trait of mercifulness of the Prophet. Infact when one interacts with the locals of Madina, they come across as extremely calm, helpful and tolerant akin to the Ansars.

Within the great mosque itself, there is so much hidden history. After the reconstruction of the mosque, the houses of some of the Prophet’s family members and his companions have been partly absorbed in the vicinity of the mosque.

The sight of the mosque itself casts a mysterious spell on the pilgrims. Absolute enchantment engulfs the spectators the moment a glance falls on the rising minarets. There are so many fascinating angles in the entire experience. The congregational prayers are heavenly and awaken every fibre of the being and soul.

During my visit I happened to pay my respects at various mosques including Masjid-i-Quba. It is the oldest mosque in the world whose foundation was laid on piety with its grand white minarets sparkling under the azure blue sky, emanating piety just as the essence of the building suggests. The Prophet (Pbuh) himself placed its stone upon his emigration from Makkah.

Thereafter, I went to Masjid-i-Qiblatain. Also known as the mosque of two qiblas. It is historically very important for Muslims, since it is here, that the Prophet was leading prayers when he received the divine revelation to change the Qibla from Jerusalem to Makka has the Holy Kaaba, from there on.

I was blessed to have offered nawafal at the ‘seven mosques’ located at Mount Sala in Madina. These were first built by the Prophet’s companions during the time of the Battle of Trench when defending the city of Madina. The mosques are named after the Prophet’s companions and some of his family members as well. The largest of them all is Majid Al-Fath which was built by Hazrat Omar bin Abdul Aziz.