The Prophet's City, Part II

The oasis slowly appears and you are in Medina without even realizing it. White square dwellings increase on the way, blending with the earth; a welcome sight to the kids who are tired of being in the car.


"Medina!"




Underwhelmed and yet full of wonder at a city that appears too small for its colossal significance as the springboard which allowed the faith to launch over vast territories for the past 1400 years. Nothing to allude to that here as the date trees which fill rocky roadsides thicken and the city itself humbly rises up from the dust.


This is the place where an illiterate man, arriving on a camel with little more than the clothing on his back and a loyal companion by his side, would come to transform its inhabitants into the vanguard of a faith that is now followed by over one billion people around the world and which helped humanity reach lofty heights in the sciences, mathematics, literature, poetry and the arts.

And the atmosphere
is one of
total,
utter
humility and peace.

It is like visiting a host who is shy that you should see the richness surrounding him and yet who is naturally gracious, sharing the blessings in sincere gratefulness to his Benefactor.



* * *

"Tal'aa al badru Allayna. . . ." sang the jubilant inhabitants of Yathrib as they greeted him that day [Friday, 12 Rabi' Al Awwal; 24 September, 622 CE ] on the outskirts of the city as they emerged for the first time.

"Oh the white moon has risen over us...."