Jabal Ayr – Mount Ayr – Everything you need to know
Mount Ayr (Jabal Ayr) is the second tallest mountain in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, after the Mount of Uhud. Jabal Ayr also marks the southern boundary of the Haram of Madinah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called Jabal Ayr the “Mountain Upon the Gate of Hell.” Keep reading to learn more about Jabal Ayr – the Mountain of Hell.
Jabal Ayr History
The literal meaning of the word “Ayr” is wild ass, and its rear side resembles the back of a donkey. On the other hand, the word Uhud is derived from the Arabic word Ahad which means “one.” Therefore, the main reason behind giving both the mountains two completely opposite names was to highlight the fact that there were two types of people in Madinah: the hostile and those who were friendly with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “This (Mount Jabal Ayr) is the Mountain of Hell, and the city of Madinah is stranded in between mount Thawar and mount Uhud.”
The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “Uhud is a mountain which loves us and which we love, it is upon the Gate of Heaven,” adding, “And Ayr is a place which hates us and which we hate, it is upon the Gate of Hell.”
Where Is Jabal Ayr Located?
Jabal Ayr is located in the southern region of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The Mountain of Hell is situated at a distance of approximately eight metres from the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabawi). Furthermore, Jabal Ayr measures around 955 metres in height, making it the second-largest mountain after Uhud.
Jabal Ayr is also very close to Dhul Haleefah (Masjid-e-Ali), from where the pilgrims and people of Madinah wear Ihram and make niyat (intention) for pilgrimage (Hajj or Umrah).
Boundaries of the Haram
Haram, meaning sanctuary, is essentially a place that comes under special rules and regulations as prescribed by Allah SWT. Haram marks a sacred place where it is prohibited to cut down plants or hunt animals and birds. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), while highlighting the significance of Haram, said, “Its branches are not to be cut, and its animals are not to be hunted.” (Sahih Muslim 1362)
He (PBUH) added, “No blood is to be shed therein, no weapon for fighting is to be carried, and no tree is to be struck to make its leaves fall, except to provide food for animals.” (Sahih Muslim 1374)
Madinah is one of the two Haram areas in the world. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “Verily, Ibraheem declared Makkah as a haram, and I will declare Madinah as a Haram.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1229)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when asked about the boundaries of Haram, stated, “I have declared sacred what is between the two lava tracts of Madinah.” (Sahih Muslim no: 1363)
Hence, there are two boundaries of Haram, two lava tracks (covering the region from east to west), and two mountains (enclosing the city of Madinah from north to south). Here is everything you need to know about the two mountain boundaries of Haram.
Jabal’ Ayr (Mount’ Ayr) Southern Boundary
Being the second-tallest mountain after Uhud, Jabal Ayr marks the southern boundary of Madinah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called it the Mountain of Hell.
Jabal Thawr (Mount Thawr) Is the Northern Boundary
Jabal Thawr is a mountain situated approximately four kilometres south of Makkah. Mount of Thawr is known for being the cave in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA) took refuge from the search party of the Quraysh during migration to Madinah.
Jabal Malaikah
Located next to Katheeb al-Hannan, Jabal Malaikah is the mountain from where the angels came to assist Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Muslim army during the Battle of Badr.
How Many Angels Were There in the Battle of Badr?
There are two interpretations of the Holy Quran regarding the number of angels sent by Allah SWT to help the Muslims in the Battle of Badr.
According to the verses of Surah Al-Anfal, Allah SWT supported the Muslims with thousands of angels. “[Remember] when you asked the help of your Lord, and He answered you, “Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.” [Holy Quran 8: 9]
In Surah Al-Imran, Allah SWT mentioned that He helped the Muslim army of 313 soldiers by reinforcing them with 3000 angels and then 5000 angels. “[Remember] when you said to the believers, “Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?” [Holy Quran 3: 124]
Summary – Jabal Ayr
Jabal Ayr is situated in the southern part of the city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. The Mountain of Hell is located at a distance of 8 kilometres from Masjid Al-Nabawi. Having a height of approximately 955 metres, Jabal Ayr is known as the second-largest mountain of Madinah after Mount Uhud.
1
0
100% of readers found this article helpful. Did you?
Through His Names
New course with
Ustadh Shabbir Hassan
