ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The History of Medina
Medina was known as Yathrib before the advent of Islam, and it was established more than 1500 years before the Prophet's migration. The name Yathrib appears in the Quran, and according to authentic hadith, the Prophet Muhammad named it Medina and Tayyaba, and forbade the use of its old name. It is the first capital in Islamic history, and non-Muslims are prohibited from entering Medina. The Prophet said: "O Allah, I make this area between its two hills like Mecca was made by Ibrahim, O Allah, bless their harvest and their share." (Reported by Imam Ahmad.)

History
Before the Prophet's migration to Medina, it was known as Yathrib. This name appears in a verse of the Quran: "And when a group among them said, 'O people of Yathrib, there is no place for you here, so return.'" (The Confederates 13). The Prophet changed its name from Yathrib to Medina and forbade the use of its old name. He said: "Whoever says 'Yathrib' about Medina should seek Allah's forgiveness." (Reported by Imam Ahmad 4/285). Most Arabic sources agree that Yathrib was named after a man who was a descendant of Noah, and this man founded the city. Although there are different accounts, it is concluded that the inhabitants of Yathrib were immigrants who settled in the area in search of food and security. It is likely that Yathrib existed more than 1500 years before the Prophet's migration to Medina.

Medina Before Islam
Yathrib was involved in wars and battles between the tribes of Aus and Khazraj, starting with the Battle of Banu Quraiza and ending with the Second Battle of Badr. During this period, Yathrib was home to various beliefs and religions, including paganism, Judaism, and Hanifism. In terms of politics, historians believe that Yathrib was mostly an independent society or semi-independent during most of its ancient periods. In some cases, it was under the control of a kingdom in the south or north or under the influence of a distant authority that paid them a certain amount of money annually.

The economy of ancient Medina was primarily based on agriculture due to its location and suitability for farming. The arrival of settlers after the immigrants led to an expansion of agricultural land, exchange of experiences, diversification of crops, and their increase. Some of the most important crops were dates, barley, wheat, and emmer. The active trade movement in Medina established several markets, including the first market, Al-Jarf, the second on the edge of Wadi Bathan, the third at Al-Asbah, and the fourth in the west of the city between Quba and Bathan.

Medina was also known for its various industries, including metalworking (sickle blades, axes, spearheads, swords, and pots), jewelry-making, and woodworking (chairs, tables, doors, windows, plows, and baskets). The social life in Medina during its early periods was similar to that of any natural society. The tribal system produced a set of norms governing the relationships between individuals and divided the population into different classes: free men from the tribe itself, then clients who were not part of the tribe but had ties with it, and slaves who were owned by the free men through purchase or capture during wars.

Medina in the Prophetic Era
The history of Medina during the Prophetic era is a separate topic.