The Names of Madinah Munawwarah: Understanding Al-Jabirah and Al-Majboorah

Exploring the Names of Madinah: A Historical Perspective

Question: One of the names of Madinah Munawwarah is “Al-Jabirah” (the city that mends) because broken hearts are mended here and wavering faith finds stability. Another name is “Al-Majboorah” (the mended city) because Allah has mended it by making it the residence of His beloved Prophet ﷺ and has made it a source of virtues and blessings. (Wafa’ al-Wafa’ by al-Samhudi: 1/16, 1/24)

Answer: Scholars like Imam Nawawi and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on them) have mentioned ten names for Madinah, which are: [Al-Madinah, Taybah, Tayyibah, Al-Dar, Al-Mutayyibah, Al-Miskinah, Al-Jabirah, Al-Majboorah, Al-Muhabbah, Al-Mahboobah, and Al-Qasimah]. Hamawi has listed 29 names in Mu’jam al-Buldan, which are: (Al-Madinah, Taybah, Tayyibah, Al-Miskinah, Al-Adhraa, Al-Jabirah, Al-Muhabbah, Al-Mahboobah, Al-Mahboorah, Yathrib, Al-Najiyah, Al-Mufiyah, Akalat al-Buldan, Al-Mubarakah, Al-Mahfoofah, Al-Muslimah, Al-Majannah, Al-Qudsiyah, Al-Asimah, Al-Marzooqah, Al-Hirah, Al-Mahboobah, Al-Mahroomah, Jabirah, Al-Mukhtarah, Al-Muharramah, Al-Qasimah, and Tababa).

Some others have counted forty or even more names, but we should suffice with the well-known ones. The two names mentioned in the question are also counted among the names of Madinah by scholars, as I have mentioned above. The book referenced is quite famous and is based on the history of Madinah. The full name of the book is “Wafa’ al-Wafa’ bi Akhbar Dar al-Mustafa,” authored by Ali bin Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Hasani al-Shafi’i, known as Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan al-Samhudi (d. 911 AH). Historically, this book is informative, and it mentions various names of Madinah and their reasons at the beginning, including these two names and their reasons.

However, the book also mentions that whoever seeks help from the Prophet ﷺ or asks for something at his grave will have their wish fulfilled. This statement is incorrect and constitutes shirk (associating partners with Allah). We should call upon Allah alone for help.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (may Allah preserve him)

❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫