Ruling on describing the Prophet’s city as al-Munawwarah
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What is the ruling on saying: Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and what is the reason for that?
Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is a later name that was not known to the Salaf, and they would say: It is al-Munawwarah,Meaning: because it was illuminated by the Islamic religion; for the Islamic religion illuminates lands. I do not know; perhaps the first one to use it believed that it is a light to this day, and that it was illuminated by the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in it. We do not know about his intention.But it is better than this name to say: Al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah is better than al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, although it is not obligatory either. If you say al-Madinah, that is sufficient.And for this reason you will find the phrases of all the Salaf, for example: He went to al-Madinah, he returned from al-Madinah, he resided in al-Madinah.And the Messenger said: (Al-Madinah is better for them) and he did not say al-Munawwarah or al-Nabawiyyah. But if it is necessary to describe it, then al-Nabawiyyah is better than al-Munawwarah; because its distinction by the Prophethood is more specific than its distinction by being illuminated.Since if we say: Al-Munawwarah, which was illuminated by Islam, that became inclusive of every Islamic land, so it is illuminated by Islam. So if it is necessary that you describe it with something, describe it with al-Nabawiyyah.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.
And glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.
Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is a later name that was not known to the Salaf, and they would say: It is al-Munawwarah,Meaning: because it was illuminated by the Islamic religion; for the Islamic religion illuminates lands. I do not know; perhaps the first one to use it believed that it is a light to this day, and that it was illuminated by the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in it. We do not know about his intention.But it is better than this name to say: Al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah is better than al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, although it is not obligatory either. If you say al-Madinah, that is sufficient.And for this reason you will find the phrases of all the Salaf, for example: He went to al-Madinah, he returned from al-Madinah, he resided in al-Madinah.And the Messenger said: (Al-Madinah is better for them) and he did not say al-Munawwarah or al-Nabawiyyah. But if it is necessary to describe it, then al-Nabawiyyah is better than al-Munawwarah; because its distinction by the Prophethood is more specific than its distinction by being illuminated.Since if we say: Al-Munawwarah, which was illuminated by Islam, that became inclusive of every Islamic land, so it is illuminated by Islam. So if it is necessary that you describe it with something, describe it with al-Nabawiyyah.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.
And glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.