Physical and Geographical Conditions
At the time the Prophet (r) migrated to Yathrib, the city was divided into distinct sections
inhabited by the Arabs and the Jews, with a separate district allocated to each clan. Each
division consisted of the residential quarters and the soil used for agricultural purposes
while in another part they used to have their strongholds or fortress-like structures. (Al-
Yahud fi Balad il-‘Arab, p. 116)
They had fifty-nine such strongholds in Madinah. Dr. Israel Welphenson writes about
these strongholds:
“The fortresses were of great importance in Yathrib for the people belonging to a clan
took shelter in them during raids by the enemy. They afforded protection to the women and
children who retreated to them in times of clashes and forays while the men went out to
engage with the enemy. These strongholds were also utilized as warehouses for the storage
of food-grains and fruits as the enemy could easily pilfer them if left in the open places.
Goods and arms were also kept in such citadels and caravans carrying the merchandise used
to stop near them for the markets were usually held along the doors of these fortifications.
The same bulwarks also housed the synagogues and educational institutions known as
Midras. The costly and valuable goods which were stored in the fortresses show that the
religious scriptures were also kept in them.” Jewish leaders and chieftains used to assemble
in these fortresses for consultations or for taking decisions on important issues which were
usually sealed by taking an oath on the scripture” (Al-Yahud fi Balad il-‘Arab, pp. 116-117)
Defining the word Utum, as these fortresses were called, Dr. Welphenson writes: “The
term connotes, in Hebrew, to shut out or to obstruct. When it is used in connection with a
wall it denotes such windows as are shut down from outside can be opened from inside. The
word is also reflective of a defensive wall or rampart and with that, it is safe to presume that
Utum was the name given by the Jews to their fortresses. They had shutters which could be
closed from the outer side and opened from the inner side.”
Yathrib was, thus, a cluster of such strongholds or fortified suburbs which had taken the
shape of a town because of their proximity. The Qur’an also hints to this peculiar feature of
the city in these words:
“That which Allah giveth as spoil unto His messenger from the people of the township.”
[Qur'an 59:7]
Again, another reference of Madinah signifies the same peculiarity.
“They will not fight against you in a body save in fortified villages or from walls." [Qur'an
59:14]
Lava plains occupy a place of special importance in the physical geography of Madinah.
These plains, formed by the matter flowing from a volcano which cools into rocks of burnt
basalt of dark brown and black color and of irregular shape and size, stretch out far and