Al-Abtah
Al-Abtah
Al-Muhassab | |
|---|---|
  Al-Abtah Location in Saudi Arabia | |
| Coordinates: 21°25′22″N 39°53′41″E / 21.4227°N 39.8946°E | |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Region | Makkah |
| City | Makkah |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| Website | https://www.makkah.gov.sa/ |
| Significant resting place of Muhammad during the Farewell Hajj. | |
Al-Abtah (Arabic: الأبطح), also known as Al-Muhassab, is a significant valley located between Makkah and Mina in Saudi Arabia. This area holds historical and religious importance in Islamic tradition.[1][2]
The Islamic prophet Muhammad camped at Al-Abtah after completing the rites of Hajj during his Farewell Pilgrimage. He prayed Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha there and rested before returning to Makkah.[3] This act is authentically reported in Hadith and was followed by many of his companions. Though not a required part of Hajj, Al-Abtah became known as a Sunnah resting place for pilgrims after the days of Tashreeq due to Muhammad's actions.[4]
Location and Description
[edit]Al-Abtah is a wide valley situated between Makkah and Mina, near the two hills leading to the cemeteries. The valley accumulates gravel carried by floodwaters, giving it the name "Al-Abtah." In contemporary times, it is referred to as Al-Ja'fariyyah and falls within the Al-Jummayzah district of Makkah.[5]
Historical Significance
[edit]During the Farewell Hajj, Muhammad camped at Al-Abtah after departing from Mina on the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the third day of Tashreeq. This stop was not a ritual of Hajj but served as a convenient resting place for the journey back to Madinah.
Hadith Narrations Regarding Al-Abtah
[edit]Several hadiths highlight the significance of Al-Abtah:
- Narrated by Aisha: "It (i.e., Al-Abtah) was a place where the Prophet ﷺ used to camp so that it might be easier for him to depart."[6]
- Narrated by Ibn Umar: "Allah's Messenger ﷺ and Abu Bakr and Umar observed halt at al-Abtah."[7]
- Narrated by Anas:[8] "I asked Anas b. Malik to tell me about something he knew about Allah's Messenger ﷺ, viz. where he observed the noon prayer on Yaum al-Tarwiya. He said: At Mina. I said: Where did he observe the afternoon prayer on the Yaum an-Nafr? and he said: It was at al-Abtah."[9]
Current Relevance
[edit]Today, Al-Abtah remains a notable location for pilgrims traveling between Makkah and Mina. While the stop at Al-Abtah is not a mandatory ritual of Hajj, it is considered a Sunnah (commendable practice) to pause there briefly, offer prayers, and make supplications during the pilgrimage.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Landmarks, Islamic (2014-04-26). "Al-Abtah". IslamicLandmarks.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "On returning from Mina, important sunnah to stop for a while in Abtah(Muhassab) – Islam QnA". Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Hadith: I saw Bilāl going out to Al-Abtah to make Adhān. When he reached: Come to prayer! Come to success! He turned his neck right and left and did not turn around". Encyclopedia of Translated Prophetic Hadiths. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ imtiaz (2017-04-10). "Wadi al Muhassab (al-Abtah)". Hajj and Umrah Planner. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Bukhari hadiths". dorar.net. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Bukhari hadiths". dorar.net. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "SAHIH MUSLIM, BOOK 7: The Book of Pilgrimage (Kitab Al-Hajj (part II)". www.iium.edu.my. Archived from the original on 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Hadiths | Sahih Muslim | Book 15". www.thehouseofislam.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "SAHIH MUSLIM, BOOK 7: The Book of Pilgrimage (Kitab Al-Hajj (part II)". www.iium.edu.my. Archived from the original on 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
 | This article about the geography of Saudi Arabia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |