Madain Saleh – Saudi Arabia (Rare Pictures)

Approximately 4oo kms from Madina Munawara, 20 kms from Al Ula lies the ancient site of Madain Saleh. To reach the site you would first have to take the road to Tabuk from Madina and from there take the road to Al Ula, the signs will then guide you away from the town to the site of this ancient civilization. Let me assure you there will be a lot of driving to do to finally reach the site. Since we went in the off-season we weren’t required to purchase any passes which is normally the case.It was noon when we finally entered the premises of the site, and with the sun at its peak it was quite hot with the sand blazing under our feet. The site was quite deserted except for the handful of tourists other than us.The site, based on 9 mountains is divided into three distinct portions namely the residential area, the noble’s are and the Dewan.

???????? ?????????

?????? ????? ??????????? ???????????

????????????? ???? ??????????? ????????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????????????? ??? ????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????? ????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ? ????????????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ????????? ??? ????????? ????????????? ????

And remember how He made you viceroys after A’ad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth. (74)

The Qura’an talks about the people of Al Hijr (Mada’in Saleh) in many different places as the ones who lived in houses carved out of the mountains.