Madain Saleh (Al-Hijr) dates back to the Nabataeans Civilization considered as one of the very important archaeological site in Saudi Arabia that is called �The Capital of the Monuments� as it contains huge amount of diverse and multifaceted monuments.
Inscriptions engraved on rocks, facades of graves and mountains to the existence of civilizations that had prevailed and fallen in the area where architecture and sculpture flourished. Every grave facet represents a cemetery for one family.
The levels of these graves vary depending on the level of social and financial status of its owners. Because of the proper climate and natural conditions in adaptation to the availability of fresh water in the area, people settled there.
The Kingdom of Nabataeans with its capital �Petra� in Jordan expanded to dominate Madain Saleh, which reach during that period, the peak of civility and civilization. They innovated in carving stones, drilling wells in the rocks, digging rainwater tanks and carving places of worship in the rocks. Studies shows that Madain Saleh governed by the Nabataeans, then by the Romanians who dominated the north Arabian Peninsula in 106 AD and changed the trade route between the south and north of Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea, which made Madain Saleh lose its strategic importance in terms of trade and taxation collected from transit convoys.
It lost its status gradually until it became a mere station for pilgrims, providing them with water and food. The Abbasids built castles on the Shami Pilgrimage road including Madain Saleh Castle in Al-Hijr, which is still there.
Then, the Ottoman State extended the Hejaz Railway to transport pilgrims from Levant, Turkey and Palestine to Makkah and built a main station in Madain Saleh including houses, workshops for the maintenance of locomotives, offices and dormitories for staff and water tank. After that, Al-Hijr ruled by Al-Sharaf for a short period.
Then, together with Al-Ula were subject to the Saudi regime in 1924 under the rule of King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud. The name �Madain Saleh� is somewhat new and has nothing to do with the Prophet Saleh (Peace be upon Him), the name �Madain Saleh� was given to Al-Hijr area almost 1400 years ago. Ibn Nasser Addin Mohammed ibn Abdullah quoted Abu Kassim Mohammed Saleh Alborzali that Madain Saleh that located near Al-Ula on the Shami pilgrimage road is an Islamic town and Saleh to which it attributed is one of Beni Abbas ibn Abdul Motalib.
So many people later thought that the name belonged to the Prophet Saleh (Peace be upon Him) who was sent to the people of Thamud. Sheikh Hamad Aljasser (May Allah have mercy on him), had an article published in Arab Magazine under the title of �Al-Hijr is not Madain Saleh�. In addition, some old maps determine the location of the city of Saleh to other of Al-Ula, near Moghira or Al-Mabiat Village with reference to the location of Al-Ula and Al-Hijr on the same map.
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Creation of Al-Hijr
Al-Hijr in Classic Sources
Nabataeans
Expansion of Nabataeans
Nabataeans� Ties with Egypt
Fall of Al-Hijr
The Holy Qur�an
The Prophet Saleh (PBUH)
THAMUD
Prophet Saleh�s She-Camel
Madain Saleh in the Holy Qur�an
In Surat Hud verses 61-68, Allah the Almighty says
In Surat Al-Shu�ara Verses 141-159, Allah the Almighty says
In Surat Al-Naml Verses 45-53, Allah the Almighty says;
Explanation of the Verses
Al-Hijr
Tourist Attraction in Madain Saleh
People
Basic Services
Laws and Regulations
Guidance
Tourist Sites in Madain Saleh
Bint (Girl) Castle Collection
Mount Athleb (Diwan) Collection
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