اكتسب أهل المدينة المنورة، خاصية استقبال ضيوف الرحمن وزوار المسجد النبوي وعُرف عنهم حبهم وترحيبهم وحفاوتهم، ويجد الحاج عندهم الراحة والطمأنينة والسكنية في وقت كان عدد الفنادق قليلاً لا يفي بحاجة آلاف الضيوف..
وهنا تدور أسئلة: كيف كانت الفنادق والدور السكنية تستوعب العدد الكبير؟.. وكيف تحولت منازل أهل المدينة لسكنٍ للحجاج؟ إلى أين يمضي السكان حين ينزل الحجاج في منازلهم؟ ما أبرز ملامح تلك الفترة حين تتحول الأحياء إلى حارات للحجاج؟
مع بداية ظهور مؤسسة الأدلاء، كانت خدمة الحجاج في المدينة المنورة تتم بشكل فردي من بعض الأسر المعروفة وغالباً كانوا من العلماء والوجهاء الذين يقومون بإرشاد الحجاج وتلبية حاجاتهم، وحدد النظام ضوابط ممارسة هذه المهنة وانتخاب هيئة لها من 10 أشخاص، ثم حدث التحول إلى مؤسسة أهلية (1405هـ)، وشكّل ذلك نقطة تحول مهمة، وصدر الأمر بإنشاء المؤسسة الأهلية للأدلاء بالمدينة المنورة، وأحال الأمر الخدمة من الطابع الفردي إلى العمل المؤسسي الجماعي؛ وذلك للارتقاء بمستوى الخدمات، ثم حدث التحول إلى شركة في 1440هـ، واستكملت إجراءات التأسيس لشركة الأدلاء (شركة مساهمة مغلقة)، إنفاذاً للمرسوم الملكي..
العيد في البساتين
يواصل حسين عويضة ويضيف: كان القائمون على المتاجر والبسطات من أبناء البلد، وهم أصحابها، يُديرون العمل بأنفسهم، لا يغيب عنّي ذكر المردُود الثقافي والفكري الذي كان يعود على أهل المدينة المنورة، من خلال احتكاكهم بالحجاج بمختلف أطيافهم؛ ما نتج عنه تلاقح فكري وثقافي جعل أبناء المدينة المنورة، أكثر انفتاحاً بالتقائهم الحجاج وتعايشهم معهم في سكن، وازدادوا بها ثقافةً وفكراً وقبولاً للآخرين، ومن الأشياء الجميلة التي كان عليها أهل المدينة المنورة.. بعد مغادرة ضيوف الرحمن للمشاعر المقدسة لأداء مناسك الحج إذ كانت هناك طقوس جميلة في يوم الوقوف في عرفة تشبه أيام رمضان، وينتشر بيع المأكولات والمشروبات الرمضانية ويتدفّق الأهالي بعد صلاة العصر رجالاً ونساء وأطفالاً قاصدين المسجد النبوي للإفطار وأداء صلاة المغرب في رحابه، ويُسمّى عندهم يوم الوقفة وليلة العيد الكبير، إذ يجتمعون معاً لقضاء أيام عيد الأضحى بقلوب صافية ونفوس راضية أقارب وجيران من الذين لم يُكتب لهم الحج، واعتاد كثير من أهل المدينة المنورة في عيد الأضحى قضاء العيد في مزارع وبساتين المدينة التي تقع في قباء، والعوالي، وقربان، والعيون، والعاقول وبئر عثمان يَذْبحون أُضْحياتهم، ويقضون أحلى أوقاتهم في أجواء أخويّة وأسريّة، يتمتع جميعهم بروح مُتقاربة ومُتحابّة مُتفائلة ومُتسامحة ومُتعاضدة ومُتكاتفة، كان الناس في تلك الأزمنة يعيشون حياة بسيطة جميلة يترفّعون فيها عن الخوض فيما لا يعنيهم، ويتجنبون الإساءة، مُستشعرين قدسيّة المكان وشرف الجيرة، ويتحَلّون بكَظم الغيظ والعفو والسماح والإحسان، جوار سيد الأنبياء والأخيار صلى الله عليه وسلم، في مدينة المهاجرين والأنصار، وفي انتظار الموسم الثاني لاستقبال الحجاج والترحيب والاحتفاء بعد أداء مناسك الحج.
يا هلا ويا مرحبا
أحد الأدلاء السابقين خير الدين بصراوي، يؤكد ان أهل المدينة المنورة يتميزون بكرم الضيافة وحسن استقبال الزوار وضيوف الرحمن، وهذا جزء أصيل من ثقافتهم وعاداتهم المتوارثة، ويستقبل أهل المدينة المنورة زوارهم بترحيب وابتسامة صادقة، تعكس سعادتهم بقدومهم. عبارات الترحيب مثل «يا هلا ويا مرحبا» و«حياكم الله» تسمع بشكل متكرر، وعرف عنهم إكرام الضيف الذي يعتبر لديهم من القيم الأساسية، ويتجلى ذلك بوضوح في تعاملهم، وتقديم القهوة العربية والتمور يعتبر من أساسيات الضيافة المدنية الأصيلة، ويبادر البعض بدعوة الزوار إلى منازلهم لتقديم وجبة أو استضافتهم، وتوجد جمعيات متخصصة مثل «جمعية ضيافة المدينة المنورة لخدمة الحجاج والمعتمرين»، التي تُعنى بتقديم الضيافة الراقية وتثقيف الزوار المساعدة والتوجيه ويبدي أهل المدينة استعداداً دائماً لمساعدة الزوار وتقديم المعلومات والتوجيهات التي يحتاجونها، وقد يصطحبون الزوار إلى الأماكن الدينية أو يرشدونهم إلى الخدمات المختلفة.
كما تشارك العديد من الفرق التطوعية والجهات الخيرية في تنظيم الموائد وتقديم الوجبات للصائمين والزوار، ويشجع أهل المدينة المنورة زوارهم على زيارة المواقع الدينية والتاريخية في المدينة المنورة مثل مسجد قباء، ومقبرة البقيع ويقدمون لهم المعلومات والنصائح المتعلقة بآداب الزيارة وفضل هذه الأماكن، ويحرص أهل المدينة على توفير جو من الهدوء والسكينة للزوار في محيط الأماكن الدينية، ليتمكنوا من أداء عباداتهم ونسكهم براحة، ويتعامل أهل المدينة مع الزوار من مختلف الجنسيات والثقافات بتسامح واحترام، ويعكسون بذلك الصورة الحقيقية للإسلام وقيمه السمحة، وهذه العادات والتقاليد الأصيلة تعكس كرم أهل المدينة المنورة ما يترك انطباعاً طيباً وذكريات جميلة لدى كل من زار هذه البقعة المباركة.
الكلام بلغة الإشارة
«عكاظ» استطلعت آراء عدد من المختصين في كيفية تحول العمل الفردي لإسكان ضيوف الرحمن في المدينة المنورة إلى عمل مؤسسي منظم، وكيف تحولت منازل الأهالي في فترة سابقة إلى مساكن لضيوف الرحمن. الباحث والمؤرخ الدكتور محمد أنور البكري يشير إلى أن إسكان الحجاج في السابق كان يعتمد على الأدلاء الذين لا يتجاوز عددهم 200 دليل في المدينة المنورة، وكانوا يشرفون على إسكان الحجاج في منازلهم والمنازل المجاورة لهم، وتتم تهيئة المنازل من بعد شوال، ومع نهاية الحج يقوم الأدلاء في المدينة بزيارة الدول لمعرفة عدد الحجاج والاتفاق معهم، وكل دليل معروف يتولى إسكان حجاج دولة معينة، وكان الأدلاء يبرمون اتفاقات بعدم تدخل أي دليل على نشاط الآخر والحرص على التعاون، ويتم توفير السكن المناسب في حالة عدم توفر مساكن للدليل. المهم في الأمر حرص وإجماع كل الأدلاء على راحة ضيوف الرحمن، ويقوم الدليل بتقديم واجبات الضيافة وإكرام الحجاج خير إكرام، ويعمل مع الجيران على توفير متطلباتهم وترتيب زيارة المواقع الإسلامية والتاريخية، وجميع الجهات الحكومية تتضافر لتقديم أفضل الخدمات لهم، وما يميز تلك الفترة الارتباط والصداقات التي تتكون بين ضيوف الرحمن وأهل المدينة وزيارة النساء لبعضهن، والتخاطب بلغة الإشارة في حال عدم التحدث باللغة العربية، وكثير من الحجاج تعرفوا على العادات والتقاليد وعلـي طباع أهل المدينة المنورة في أكلهم وأزيائهم، كما تعلمت النساء في المدينة طهي الأطعمة الهندية والتركستانية وغير ذلك.
ويشير البكري إلى أن عدد الحجاج في السابق لم يكن يتجاوز 200 ألف حاج، يأتون عبر القوافل برّاً أو عن طريق البواخر، ومع تزايد أعدادهم نظمت الدولة إسكانهم عبر شركة الأدلاء.
يؤثرون على أنفسهم
المستشار الإعلامي عبدالغني القش يقول: أهالي المدينة المنورة درجوا وما زالوا يستقبلون الحجاج بكل فرح وسرور، يسكنونهم في منازلهم، يقدمون لهم الطعام والشراب الذي يأكلون منه إكراماً، لهم فإذا كان المنزل كبيراً فإن العائلة تصعد إلى الدور العلوي وتترك الدور الأرضي للحجاج، والبعض منهم يغادر المنزل بالكامل ويذهب إلى منزل مجاور، إما أن يكون لأبيه أو لأمه أو أحد أقربائه من الدرجة الأولى، ورغم أن المنازل في ذلك الوقت كانت صغيرة المساحة لكن القلوب كانت منشرحة والصدور منفتحة، يفعلون ذلك من باب الإيثار، وهذا يذكرنا بما فعله الأنصار مع المهاجرين رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين.
ويا لها من صورة إنسانية رائعة خلدها القرآن لهم وأثنى عليهم ثناءً منقطع النظير، وهذا العمل الذي كان يقوم به أهل المدينة المنورة جعلهم يكتسبون ثقافات متعددة؛ لأن الحجاج الذين كانوا ينزلون في منازلهم من جنسيات مختلفة، ففي عام يكون الحجاج من الأتراك وفي العام الذي يليه من إندونيسيا وبقية دول العالم الإسلامي، فامتزجت الثقافات، واكتسب أهل المدينة المعارف الإنسانية.
امتزاج مشترك في التقاليد
ويضيف عبدالغني القش: بعض الحجاج كانوا يمتزجون بعادات وتقاليد أهل المدينة المنورة مثلما يمتزج الأهالي بعادات ضيوفهم، ومن ذلك مثلاً تقديم ما يعرف بالحلوى العجمية في المناسبات، والتركية. أما بعض المأكولات فقد باتت مستساغة عند أهل المدينة المنورة، ولا يعرفها الكثير من سكان الجزيرة العربية باستثناء مكة المكرمة، أما في عصرنا الحالي فقد تحولت تلك المنازل والدور إلى فنادق وشقق سكنية تشرف عليها أجهزة الدولة بتنظيم دقيق ومراقبة مستمرة، ما جعل الجيل الحالي بعيداً عن اكتساب تلك العادات والتقاليد والمعارف التي كانت منتشرة في زمن مضى، وعندما يستذكر الإنسان تلك الأيام فإن الابتسامة ترتسم على شفتيه، فقد كانت الحياة بسيطة إلى أبعد الحدود، وكان الحاج لا يحتاج إلى مزيد أثاث، بل ربما افترش بعضهم الأرض والتحف السماء؛ لأنه آت ليكتسب الأجر ويسعى إلى مرضاة الله وينال ثواب الحج؛ ليعود منه كما ولدته أمه، فلا تعنيه الدنيا في شيء لا يهتم لفراش وثير، ولا لتجهيزات حديثة، ولا لأدوات حضارية في صورة إنسانية بديعة قل أن توجد في أرجاء العالم أجمع أخوة الإسلام، وإنسانية الآدميين ورقي الأخلاق والتسامح والتعايش والمودة.
لبان لامي وبخور
المشرف التربوي والكاتب الصحفي حسين عويضة، يقول: أهل المدينة اعتادوا في شهور الحج تقسيمه إلى موسمين: موسم قبل الحج ويُطلق عليه: الموسم الأول وفيه يتدفّق حَشدٌ كبير من الحجيج لزيارة المسجد النبوي والصلاة فيه، والتشرف بالسلام على رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم وصاحبيه رضوان الله عليهما، قبل أدائهم فريضة الحج، والفترة الأخرى بعد الحج ويُطلق عليها: (الموسم الثاني) ويتّجه جمعٌ كبير من الحُجّاج إلى المدينة الّذين لم يسبق لهم زيارتها قبل الحج، ونظراً لافتقار المدينة في تلك الحقْبة الزمنية إلى فنادق ووحدات سكنية خاصة للسّكن كانوا يسكنون في بيوت الأهالي. وكان الأهالي يستعدون قبل الحج بتجهيز ملحقات المنازل في الأسطح بعد إخلاء باقي الغرف لسُكنى الحجّاج، ويتم ذلك في الموسمين الأول والثاني، ويصعب وصف البهجة التي كان يشعر بها أهل المدينة صغاراً وكباراً. عند نزول الحجاج في موسم الحج تشهد المدينة المنورة، حراكاً تجارياً كبيراً، فهو مصدر رزق لأهلها ينتظرونه كل عام، ترى المتاجر ممتلئة بالأقمشة والسجّاد والعِطَارة والمجوهرات والأدوات الكهربائية وغيرها من المستلزمات التي يحتاجها الحاج، وترى البسطات تُنصَب أمام المحلات وبسطات تُنصَب في الطرقات لبيع العُطور والسُّبَح وسجّاد الصلاة والعصيرات والشاي بالحليب والهدايا واللّبان اللامي والشامي والبخُور وغيرها.
مواقع تاريخية ترحِّب بزوارها
المدينة المنورة تزخر بالمواقع التاريخية والإسلامية، التي يحرص الزوار على زيارتها، وأبرزها مسجد قباء، وهو أول مسجد بني في الإسلام، أسسه النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- عند وصوله إلى المدينة المنورة. يقع في الجنوب الغربي من المدينة، ويحرص الزوار على الصلاة فيه اقتداءً بالنبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم-، ومسجد القبلتين يتميز بأنه المسجد الذي صلى فيه النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- والمسلمون، صلاتين باتجاهين مختلفين للقبلة؛ الأولى باتجاه بيت المقدس والثانية باتجاه الكعبة المشرفة بعد نزول الوحي بتحويل القبلة. والمساجد السبعة: مجموعة من ستة مساجد صغيرة تاريخية تقع في الجهة الغربية من جبل سلع، وترتبط بغزوة الخندق. تشمل مسجد الفتح (أكبرها)، ومسجد سلمان الفارسي، ومسجد أبي بكر الصديق، ومسجد عمر بن الخطاب، ومسجد علي بن أبي طالب، ومسجد فاطمة رضي الله عنهم، ومسجد الجمعة: بُني في الموقع الذي صلى فيه النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- أول صلاة جمعة بعد هجرته إلى المدينة المنورة ومسجد المصلي ويقع بالقرب من المسجد النبوي؛ وهو المكان الذي صلى فيه النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- صلاة العيد والاستسقاء.
ومسجد الإجابة (بني معاوية): يقع شمال شرقي البقيع، ويُروى أن النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- دعا فيه دعاءً استجاب الله له في ثلاث مسائل، وزيارة بقيع الغرقد: المقبرة الرئيسية في المدينة المنورة، وتضم قبور العديد من آل بيت النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- وزوجاته وأصحابه الكرام والتابعين، وزيارة جبل أحد وهو موقع غزوة أحد الشهيرة، ويضم مقبرة شهداء أحد، وعلى رأسهم حمزة بن عبدالمطلب رضي الله عنه.
قبل إنشاء مرافق الضيافة والفنادق.. أين كان سكنى ضيوف الرحمن في طيبة؟
حارات الحجاج في المدينة !
30 مايو 2025 - 03:48
|
آخر تحديث 30 مايو 2025 - 03:48
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
سامي المغامسي (المدينة المنورة )
sami4086@
The people of Medina have acquired the characteristic of welcoming the guests of Allah and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque, and they are known for their love, hospitality, and warm reception. The pilgrim finds comfort, tranquility, and a sense of belonging among them at a time when the number of hotels was few and insufficient to meet the needs of thousands of guests...
Here, questions arise: How did hotels and residential houses accommodate such a large number? How did the homes of the people of Medina turn into residences for the pilgrims? Where do the residents go when the pilgrims stay in their homes? What are the most prominent features of that period when neighborhoods transformed into areas for pilgrims?
With the beginning of the establishment of the guides' institution, the service for pilgrims in Medina was carried out individually by some well-known families, often scholars and dignitaries who guided the pilgrims and met their needs. The system defined the regulations for practicing this profession and elected a body of 10 individuals. Then, a shift occurred to a private institution (in 1405 AH), marking an important turning point. An order was issued to establish the Private Institution for Guides in Medina, transitioning the service from an individual nature to organized collective work; this was to elevate the level of services. Later, in 1440 AH, it transformed into a company, and the establishment procedures for the Guides Company (a closed joint-stock company) were completed in implementation of the royal decree...
**Eid in the Gardens**
Hussein Oweida continues and adds: The shopkeepers and stall owners were locals, and they managed the work themselves. I cannot overlook the cultural and intellectual returns that the people of Medina gained through their interaction with pilgrims from various backgrounds; this resulted in a cultural and intellectual cross-fertilization that made the people of Medina more open through their encounters with pilgrims and their coexistence with them in housing. They became richer in culture, thought, and acceptance of others. One of the beautiful things about the people of Medina was that after the guests of Allah left the holy sites to perform the rituals of Hajj, there were beautiful customs on the day of standing at Arafat that resembled the days of Ramadan. The sale of Ramadan foods and drinks spread, and families flocked after the afternoon prayer—men, women, and children—towards the Prophet's Mosque for Iftar and to perform the Maghrib prayer within its precincts. They refer to this day as the Day of Standing and the Night of the Great Eid, as they gather together to spend the days of Eid al-Adha with pure hearts and content souls, including relatives and neighbors who were not able to perform Hajj. Many people from Medina used to spend Eid al-Adha in the farms and gardens of the city located in Quba, Al-Awali, Qurban, Al-Ayoun, Al-Aqool, and the Well of Uthman, where they would sacrifice their offerings and enjoy the best of times in a brotherly and familial atmosphere, all sharing a spirit of closeness, love, optimism, tolerance, solidarity, and cooperation. People in those times lived a simple, beautiful life, rising above engaging in what does not concern them, avoiding harm, feeling the sanctity of the place and the honor of neighborliness, and embodying patience, forgiveness, kindness, and benevolence, in the presence of the Master of Prophets and the Righteous, peace be upon him, in the city of the Emigrants and the Helpers, while waiting for the second season to welcome and celebrate the pilgrims after performing the Hajj rituals.
**Welcome and Greetings**
One of the former guides, Khair al-Din Basrawi, confirms that the people of Medina are distinguished by their hospitality and good reception of visitors and the guests of Allah, which is an integral part of their culture and inherited traditions. The people of Medina welcome their visitors with warmth and sincere smiles, reflecting their happiness at their arrival. Welcoming phrases such as "Welcome" and "May Allah bless you" are frequently heard, and they are known for honoring their guests, which is considered one of their core values. This is clearly manifested in their interactions, and offering Arabic coffee and dates is considered a fundamental aspect of authentic Medina hospitality. Some even invite visitors to their homes to offer a meal or host them. There are specialized associations such as the "Medina Hospitality Association for Serving Pilgrims and Umrah Performers," which is concerned with providing upscale hospitality and educating visitors, offering assistance and guidance. The people of Medina always show readiness to help visitors and provide them with the information and directions they need, and they may accompany visitors to religious sites or guide them to various services.
Many volunteer teams and charitable organizations also participate in organizing tables and providing meals for the fasting and visitors. The people of Medina encourage their visitors to explore the religious and historical sites in the city, such as the Quba Mosque and the Baqi' Cemetery, providing them with information and advice related to the etiquette of visiting and the virtue of these places. The people of Medina strive to create an atmosphere of calm and serenity for visitors in the vicinity of religious sites, enabling them to perform their worship and rituals comfortably. The people of Medina interact with visitors from various nationalities and cultures with tolerance and respect, reflecting the true image of Islam and its noble values. These authentic customs and traditions reflect the generosity of the people of Medina, leaving a good impression and beautiful memories for everyone who visits this blessed place.
**Communication in Sign Language**
“Okaz” surveyed the opinions of several specialists on how the individual work of housing the guests of Allah in Medina transformed into an organized institutional work, and how the homes of the locals previously turned into residences for the guests of Allah. Researcher and historian Dr. Muhammad Anwar Al-Bakri points out that housing for pilgrims in the past relied on guides, whose number did not exceed 200 in Medina. They oversaw the housing of pilgrims in their homes and the neighboring houses. The homes were prepared starting from after Shawwal, and by the end of Hajj, the guides in Medina would visit countries to know the number of pilgrims and make agreements with them. Each known guide would take responsibility for housing pilgrims from a specific country, and the guides would make agreements not to interfere with each other's activities and to cooperate. Suitable housing was provided in case there were no accommodations available for the guide. The important thing was the care and consensus of all the guides on the comfort of the guests of Allah. The guide would provide hospitality duties and honor the pilgrims in the best way, working with neighbors to meet their needs and arrange visits to Islamic and historical sites. All government entities collaborated to provide the best services for them. What distinguished that period was the connections and friendships that formed between the guests of Allah and the people of Medina, including visits between women and communication in sign language in case of not speaking Arabic. Many pilgrims became acquainted with the customs and traditions and the characteristics of the people of Medina in their food and clothing, and women in Medina learned to cook Indian and Turkistani dishes and more.
Al-Bakri indicates that the number of pilgrims in the past did not exceed 200,000, arriving via caravans overland or by ships. As their numbers increased, the state organized their housing through the Guides Company.
**They Prefer Others Over Themselves**
Media advisor Abdul Ghani Al-Qash says: The people of Medina have always welcomed pilgrims with joy and happiness, housing them in their homes and offering them food and drink as a gesture of honor. If the house is large, the family would move to the upper floor and leave the ground floor for the pilgrims, and some would completely vacate their homes and go to a neighboring house, whether it belonged to their father, mother, or a close relative. Although the homes at that time were small, the hearts were open, and the spirits were welcoming. They did this out of altruism, reminding us of what the Ansar did with the Emigrants, may Allah be pleased with them all.
What a wonderful human image that the Quran immortalized for them, praising them in an unparalleled manner. This work that the people of Medina performed allowed them to acquire diverse cultures, as the pilgrims who stayed in their homes came from different nationalities. One year, the pilgrims would be from Turkey, and the following year from Indonesia and other Islamic countries, leading to a blend of cultures and the people of Medina gaining human knowledge.
**A Shared Blend in Traditions**
Abdul Ghani Al-Qash adds: Some pilgrims blended with the customs and traditions of the people of Medina, just as the locals blended with the customs of their guests. For example, offering what is known as "Ajamiyah sweets" during occasions, and Turkish sweets. Some foods became well-liked by the people of Medina, which many residents of the Arabian Peninsula do not know, except for those in Mecca. In our current era, those homes and residences have transformed into hotels and residential apartments overseen by state agencies with precise organization and continuous monitoring, which has distanced the current generation from acquiring those customs, traditions, and knowledge that were widespread in the past. When one recalls those days, a smile appears on their lips, as life was incredibly simple, and the pilgrim did not need much furniture; some might even spread out on the ground and sleep under the sky, as they came to earn reward and seek the pleasure of Allah, hoping to return as pure as they were born. The worldly matters did not concern them; they were not preoccupied with luxurious bedding, modern amenities, or civilized tools, in a beautiful human image that is rare to find in all parts of the world, embodying the brotherhood of Islam, human dignity, and the elevation of morals, tolerance, coexistence, and affection.
**Lami Gum and Incense**
Educational supervisor and journalist Hussein Oweida states: The people of Medina have been accustomed to dividing the Hajj months into two seasons: the season before Hajj, referred to as the first season, during which a large crowd of pilgrims flows to visit the Prophet's Mosque and pray there, and to honorably greet the Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him and his companions- before performing the Hajj obligation. The other period is after Hajj, referred to as the second season, when a large number of pilgrims head to Medina who have not previously visited it before Hajj. Due to the lack of hotels and residential units in that era, they would stay in the homes of the locals. The locals would prepare before Hajj by equipping the house extensions on the rooftops after vacating the other rooms for the pilgrims' accommodation, and this would happen in both the first and second seasons. It is difficult to describe the joy that the people of Medina—young and old—felt when the pilgrims arrived during the Hajj season. Medina witnesses significant commercial activity, as it is a source of livelihood for its residents that they await every year. You see shops filled with fabrics, carpets, perfumes, jewelry, electrical appliances, and other necessities that pilgrims need. You see stalls set up in front of shops and along the streets selling perfumes, prayer beads, prayer rugs, juices, milk tea, gifts, Lami gum, Sham incense, and more.
**Historical Sites Welcoming Their Visitors**
Medina is rich in historical and Islamic sites that visitors are keen to visit, the most prominent of which is the Quba Mosque, the first mosque built in Islam, established by the Prophet -peace be upon him- upon his arrival in Medina. It is located in the southwestern part of the city, and visitors are keen to pray there in emulation of the Prophet -peace be upon him-. The Mosque of the Two Qiblas is distinguished as the mosque where the Prophet -peace be upon him- and the Muslims prayed two prayers in different directions; the first towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and the second towards the Kaaba after the revelation of the command to change the qibla. The Seven Mosques: a group of six small historical mosques located on the western side of Mount Sal' and associated with the Battle of the Trench. They include the Mosque of Al-Fath (the largest), the Mosque of Salman Al-Farsi, the Mosque of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the Mosque of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, the Mosque of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the Mosque of Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them, and the Friday Mosque, built on the site where the Prophet -peace be upon him- performed the first Friday prayer after his migration to Medina, and the Mosque of Al-Musalli, located near the Prophet's Mosque; it is the place where the Prophet -peace be upon him- performed the Eid and rain prayers.
The Mosque of Al-Ijabah (Bani Muawiya) is located northeast of Baqi', and it is narrated that the Prophet -peace be upon him- made a supplication there that Allah answered in three matters. Visiting Baqi' Al-Gharqad: the main cemetery in Medina, which includes the graves of many of the Prophet's family, his wives, and noble companions and followers. Visiting Mount Uhud, the site of the famous Battle of Uhud, which includes the cemetery of the martyrs of Uhud, led by Hamza Ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him.
Here, questions arise: How did hotels and residential houses accommodate such a large number? How did the homes of the people of Medina turn into residences for the pilgrims? Where do the residents go when the pilgrims stay in their homes? What are the most prominent features of that period when neighborhoods transformed into areas for pilgrims?
With the beginning of the establishment of the guides' institution, the service for pilgrims in Medina was carried out individually by some well-known families, often scholars and dignitaries who guided the pilgrims and met their needs. The system defined the regulations for practicing this profession and elected a body of 10 individuals. Then, a shift occurred to a private institution (in 1405 AH), marking an important turning point. An order was issued to establish the Private Institution for Guides in Medina, transitioning the service from an individual nature to organized collective work; this was to elevate the level of services. Later, in 1440 AH, it transformed into a company, and the establishment procedures for the Guides Company (a closed joint-stock company) were completed in implementation of the royal decree...
**Eid in the Gardens**
Hussein Oweida continues and adds: The shopkeepers and stall owners were locals, and they managed the work themselves. I cannot overlook the cultural and intellectual returns that the people of Medina gained through their interaction with pilgrims from various backgrounds; this resulted in a cultural and intellectual cross-fertilization that made the people of Medina more open through their encounters with pilgrims and their coexistence with them in housing. They became richer in culture, thought, and acceptance of others. One of the beautiful things about the people of Medina was that after the guests of Allah left the holy sites to perform the rituals of Hajj, there were beautiful customs on the day of standing at Arafat that resembled the days of Ramadan. The sale of Ramadan foods and drinks spread, and families flocked after the afternoon prayer—men, women, and children—towards the Prophet's Mosque for Iftar and to perform the Maghrib prayer within its precincts. They refer to this day as the Day of Standing and the Night of the Great Eid, as they gather together to spend the days of Eid al-Adha with pure hearts and content souls, including relatives and neighbors who were not able to perform Hajj. Many people from Medina used to spend Eid al-Adha in the farms and gardens of the city located in Quba, Al-Awali, Qurban, Al-Ayoun, Al-Aqool, and the Well of Uthman, where they would sacrifice their offerings and enjoy the best of times in a brotherly and familial atmosphere, all sharing a spirit of closeness, love, optimism, tolerance, solidarity, and cooperation. People in those times lived a simple, beautiful life, rising above engaging in what does not concern them, avoiding harm, feeling the sanctity of the place and the honor of neighborliness, and embodying patience, forgiveness, kindness, and benevolence, in the presence of the Master of Prophets and the Righteous, peace be upon him, in the city of the Emigrants and the Helpers, while waiting for the second season to welcome and celebrate the pilgrims after performing the Hajj rituals.
**Welcome and Greetings**
One of the former guides, Khair al-Din Basrawi, confirms that the people of Medina are distinguished by their hospitality and good reception of visitors and the guests of Allah, which is an integral part of their culture and inherited traditions. The people of Medina welcome their visitors with warmth and sincere smiles, reflecting their happiness at their arrival. Welcoming phrases such as "Welcome" and "May Allah bless you" are frequently heard, and they are known for honoring their guests, which is considered one of their core values. This is clearly manifested in their interactions, and offering Arabic coffee and dates is considered a fundamental aspect of authentic Medina hospitality. Some even invite visitors to their homes to offer a meal or host them. There are specialized associations such as the "Medina Hospitality Association for Serving Pilgrims and Umrah Performers," which is concerned with providing upscale hospitality and educating visitors, offering assistance and guidance. The people of Medina always show readiness to help visitors and provide them with the information and directions they need, and they may accompany visitors to religious sites or guide them to various services.
Many volunteer teams and charitable organizations also participate in organizing tables and providing meals for the fasting and visitors. The people of Medina encourage their visitors to explore the religious and historical sites in the city, such as the Quba Mosque and the Baqi' Cemetery, providing them with information and advice related to the etiquette of visiting and the virtue of these places. The people of Medina strive to create an atmosphere of calm and serenity for visitors in the vicinity of religious sites, enabling them to perform their worship and rituals comfortably. The people of Medina interact with visitors from various nationalities and cultures with tolerance and respect, reflecting the true image of Islam and its noble values. These authentic customs and traditions reflect the generosity of the people of Medina, leaving a good impression and beautiful memories for everyone who visits this blessed place.
**Communication in Sign Language**
“Okaz” surveyed the opinions of several specialists on how the individual work of housing the guests of Allah in Medina transformed into an organized institutional work, and how the homes of the locals previously turned into residences for the guests of Allah. Researcher and historian Dr. Muhammad Anwar Al-Bakri points out that housing for pilgrims in the past relied on guides, whose number did not exceed 200 in Medina. They oversaw the housing of pilgrims in their homes and the neighboring houses. The homes were prepared starting from after Shawwal, and by the end of Hajj, the guides in Medina would visit countries to know the number of pilgrims and make agreements with them. Each known guide would take responsibility for housing pilgrims from a specific country, and the guides would make agreements not to interfere with each other's activities and to cooperate. Suitable housing was provided in case there were no accommodations available for the guide. The important thing was the care and consensus of all the guides on the comfort of the guests of Allah. The guide would provide hospitality duties and honor the pilgrims in the best way, working with neighbors to meet their needs and arrange visits to Islamic and historical sites. All government entities collaborated to provide the best services for them. What distinguished that period was the connections and friendships that formed between the guests of Allah and the people of Medina, including visits between women and communication in sign language in case of not speaking Arabic. Many pilgrims became acquainted with the customs and traditions and the characteristics of the people of Medina in their food and clothing, and women in Medina learned to cook Indian and Turkistani dishes and more.
Al-Bakri indicates that the number of pilgrims in the past did not exceed 200,000, arriving via caravans overland or by ships. As their numbers increased, the state organized their housing through the Guides Company.
**They Prefer Others Over Themselves**
Media advisor Abdul Ghani Al-Qash says: The people of Medina have always welcomed pilgrims with joy and happiness, housing them in their homes and offering them food and drink as a gesture of honor. If the house is large, the family would move to the upper floor and leave the ground floor for the pilgrims, and some would completely vacate their homes and go to a neighboring house, whether it belonged to their father, mother, or a close relative. Although the homes at that time were small, the hearts were open, and the spirits were welcoming. They did this out of altruism, reminding us of what the Ansar did with the Emigrants, may Allah be pleased with them all.
What a wonderful human image that the Quran immortalized for them, praising them in an unparalleled manner. This work that the people of Medina performed allowed them to acquire diverse cultures, as the pilgrims who stayed in their homes came from different nationalities. One year, the pilgrims would be from Turkey, and the following year from Indonesia and other Islamic countries, leading to a blend of cultures and the people of Medina gaining human knowledge.
**A Shared Blend in Traditions**
Abdul Ghani Al-Qash adds: Some pilgrims blended with the customs and traditions of the people of Medina, just as the locals blended with the customs of their guests. For example, offering what is known as "Ajamiyah sweets" during occasions, and Turkish sweets. Some foods became well-liked by the people of Medina, which many residents of the Arabian Peninsula do not know, except for those in Mecca. In our current era, those homes and residences have transformed into hotels and residential apartments overseen by state agencies with precise organization and continuous monitoring, which has distanced the current generation from acquiring those customs, traditions, and knowledge that were widespread in the past. When one recalls those days, a smile appears on their lips, as life was incredibly simple, and the pilgrim did not need much furniture; some might even spread out on the ground and sleep under the sky, as they came to earn reward and seek the pleasure of Allah, hoping to return as pure as they were born. The worldly matters did not concern them; they were not preoccupied with luxurious bedding, modern amenities, or civilized tools, in a beautiful human image that is rare to find in all parts of the world, embodying the brotherhood of Islam, human dignity, and the elevation of morals, tolerance, coexistence, and affection.
**Lami Gum and Incense**
Educational supervisor and journalist Hussein Oweida states: The people of Medina have been accustomed to dividing the Hajj months into two seasons: the season before Hajj, referred to as the first season, during which a large crowd of pilgrims flows to visit the Prophet's Mosque and pray there, and to honorably greet the Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him and his companions- before performing the Hajj obligation. The other period is after Hajj, referred to as the second season, when a large number of pilgrims head to Medina who have not previously visited it before Hajj. Due to the lack of hotels and residential units in that era, they would stay in the homes of the locals. The locals would prepare before Hajj by equipping the house extensions on the rooftops after vacating the other rooms for the pilgrims' accommodation, and this would happen in both the first and second seasons. It is difficult to describe the joy that the people of Medina—young and old—felt when the pilgrims arrived during the Hajj season. Medina witnesses significant commercial activity, as it is a source of livelihood for its residents that they await every year. You see shops filled with fabrics, carpets, perfumes, jewelry, electrical appliances, and other necessities that pilgrims need. You see stalls set up in front of shops and along the streets selling perfumes, prayer beads, prayer rugs, juices, milk tea, gifts, Lami gum, Sham incense, and more.
**Historical Sites Welcoming Their Visitors**
Medina is rich in historical and Islamic sites that visitors are keen to visit, the most prominent of which is the Quba Mosque, the first mosque built in Islam, established by the Prophet -peace be upon him- upon his arrival in Medina. It is located in the southwestern part of the city, and visitors are keen to pray there in emulation of the Prophet -peace be upon him-. The Mosque of the Two Qiblas is distinguished as the mosque where the Prophet -peace be upon him- and the Muslims prayed two prayers in different directions; the first towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and the second towards the Kaaba after the revelation of the command to change the qibla. The Seven Mosques: a group of six small historical mosques located on the western side of Mount Sal' and associated with the Battle of the Trench. They include the Mosque of Al-Fath (the largest), the Mosque of Salman Al-Farsi, the Mosque of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the Mosque of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, the Mosque of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the Mosque of Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them, and the Friday Mosque, built on the site where the Prophet -peace be upon him- performed the first Friday prayer after his migration to Medina, and the Mosque of Al-Musalli, located near the Prophet's Mosque; it is the place where the Prophet -peace be upon him- performed the Eid and rain prayers.
The Mosque of Al-Ijabah (Bani Muawiya) is located northeast of Baqi', and it is narrated that the Prophet -peace be upon him- made a supplication there that Allah answered in three matters. Visiting Baqi' Al-Gharqad: the main cemetery in Medina, which includes the graves of many of the Prophet's family, his wives, and noble companions and followers. Visiting Mount Uhud, the site of the famous Battle of Uhud, which includes the cemetery of the martyrs of Uhud, led by Hamza Ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him.