You mentioned that the people of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah will increase in number in the last of time, and that this is one of the signs of the Hour. In another book, the author mentioned that one of the signs of the Hour is that al-Madinah will become a ruin inhabited by wild beasts. How is this reconciled?
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The reader: He said: You mentioned that the people of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah will increase in number in the last of time, and that this is one of the signs of the Hour. In another book, the author mentioned that one of the signs of the Hour is that al-Madinah will become a ruin inhabited by wild beasts. How is this reconciled?
The Shaykh : Yes, he saidThe questioner : The Prophet's city, and the correct term is to say "the Prophet's city" (al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah), because I have not heard of "al-Munawwarah" in the books of the Salaf or in the statements of the Salaf. It is called the Prophet's city, and even if it is referred to simply as "the city" (al-Madinah), it is known to be none other than the city of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So the "al" in "al" is for the known mental covenant understood by all Muslims. However, there is no harm in specifying this city and saying it is the Prophet's city; that is better than the word "al-Munawwarah," because "al-Munawwarah" is not known in the speech of the Salaf. What is known is "the Prophet's city" or simply "the city" without mentioning "al-Nabawiyyah." But if we say "al-Nabawiyyah" so that it is not confused with others, that is a clarifying description. Combining what the questioner indicated with the second hadith regarding the large number of people there, the issue is not about a single time period; it may be empty at one time, and then people settle in it and become numerous.
The reader: May Allah forgive us and you.
The Shaykh : Yes, he saidThe questioner : The Prophet's city, and the correct term is to say "the Prophet's city" (al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah), because I have not heard of "al-Munawwarah" in the books of the Salaf or in the statements of the Salaf. It is called the Prophet's city, and even if it is referred to simply as "the city" (al-Madinah), it is known to be none other than the city of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So the "al" in "al" is for the known mental covenant understood by all Muslims. However, there is no harm in specifying this city and saying it is the Prophet's city; that is better than the word "al-Munawwarah," because "al-Munawwarah" is not known in the speech of the Salaf. What is known is "the Prophet's city" or simply "the city" without mentioning "al-Nabawiyyah." But if we say "al-Nabawiyyah" so that it is not confused with others, that is a clarifying description. Combining what the questioner indicated with the second hadith regarding the large number of people there, the issue is not about a single time period; it may be empty at one time, and then people settle in it and become numerous.
The reader: May Allah forgive us and you.