Wadi al-Qura

Wadi al-Qura is a location and wadi north of Medina in Saudi Arabia,[1] mentioned in early Islamic sources.

The wadi is tentative identified with the modern Wadi al-'Ula.[2]

The Wadi is referenced in many early Islamic texts. Several military expeditions took place there during the time of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. These include:

  • the Expedition of Zaid ibn Haritha (Wadi al-Qura), where Muhammad sent Zayd ibn Haritha to survey the area and to monitor the movements of the enemies of Muhammad,[3]
  • the Second Expedition of Wadi al-Qura which Muhammad ordered to raid the inhabitants of Wadi al-Qura for revenge, because a number of Muslims were killed when they tried to raid the inhabitants previously, but failed.[4]
  • During the end of Muhammad's era the Third Expedition of Wadi al Qura was ordered, with the purpose of attacking the Jews of Wadi al-Qura to conquer their land[5]

Recent discoveries of Geonic responsa have shown that there was a Jewish presence in Wadi al-Qura as late as the 11th century CE, and that they maintained correspondence with Rabbi Sherira Gaon and Rabbi Hai Gaon.[6]

See also

References
  1. Wensinck, AJ, "Kaynuka, banu", Encyclopaedia of Islam.
  2. Timothy Power, The Red Sea from Byzantium to the Caliphate: AD 500–1000 (I.B.Tauris, 2012) p115.
  3. Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 206. (online)
  4. Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 211. (online)
  5. William Muir, The Life of Mahomet (2003), p. 394.
  6. Mazuz, Haggai (2014). The Religious and Spiritual Life of the Jews of Medina. Koninklijke Brill. p. 100. Retrieved 2016-06-22.

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