When you consider visiting AlUla, you may need to reconsider the reasons why you want to visit this ancient place. The ancient city, that never ceases to impress visitors with its majestic scenery and archaeological wonders, impresses tourists who travel on its territory around the globe. To the muslims however, visitation to AlUla should be a very profound decision especially regarding certain references made in the Hadith. This blog narrates the Islamic view of visiting ruins of a nation which has been Criticized in the Quran and Hadith as it gives real practical and spiritual reasoning to the people who travel.
Having read this article to its very end, you will know every detail about how such teachings are applied to such locations as AlUla, what the Hadith said about this subject, and how you can make your traveling plans compatible with Islamic ideals.
A Rich History with Islamic Context
Tourist destination AlUla is situated in Saudi Arabia, the territory of the Medina region. It is where some of the finest historical buildings can be found such as old rock tombs, inscriptions, and the grand Al-Hijr also known as the grand Mada Saleh. It was the second Nabatean kingdom just after Petra in the Kingdom of Jordan. Although its archaeological importance is underminable, AlUla also has deep links to the spiritual and religious context as it is tightly connected with the legend of the Thamud people that is described in the Quran and Hadith.
Quran speaks about the way the people Thamud were punished because of their haughtiness and disobedience towards Allah. The ruins in AlUla are a dark reminder of what happened to them, and it should force Muslim people to think about the almighty power of Allah and its justice. But again, the Hadith gives more insights on the manner in which the believers are expected to relate to such ruins and the rest of such historical sites.
The Hadith on Visiting Ruins
Among the other original Hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his teachings can be found when he happened to see the ruins of the punished nations by Allah. Among the most remarkable ones was the description by the Sahih Bukhari that discourage Muslims to seek any informal roaming in these ruinous sites claiming that the Prophet (PBUH) did not choose to do the same. He pointed out that tourism is not the major theme of these ruins but it is kind of reflection and finding the mercy of Allah. This instruction is rather close to the spirit of sacred trips, like Umrah Packages, in which the emphasis is put on spiritual consideration, adoration, and absorbing of the mercy of Allah, not on tourism.
Key Hadith Mentioned
In Hadith there is reported one time where the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions were traveling back through Thamud rubbles. He said to them, Do not drink any of the water in the wells; nor make the use of anything in the place, unless it were a pressing necessity. He rather invited them to speed up the trip and consider what will happen to those who do not obey Allah. His main points were on what to do there with humility and precaution, but not as an attraction.
This is an Islamic way of thinking that gives lessons to travellers of moral and spiritual value. When touring historical monuments such as AlUla, it is necessary to do so with the same humility and the awareness of the warnings of Allah.
AlUla and Mada’in Saleh in the Context of the Thamud
Al-Hijr, or ruins of Mada Saleh, could be the most stunning place in AlUla. It was not always a small, insignificant area; at the peak of the Nabataean civilization, it was a host to trade and culture. The place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its archaeological significance. But to Muslims, there is more to the remains of Mada Saleh.
The book of Quran clearly refers to the nation of Thamud, how they ignored the rules of God, and the punishment that they went through. These ruins brilliantly speak by telling how they were destroyed, as Allah wanted it as the scare of the future generations as well. These ruins are to be visited with care and in a spirit of reflection rather than relaxation (all of this being described in what is called the Prophetic tradition (Hadith).
One should not adore the architecture or the rock sculptures to find some entertainment as he/she should respect the spiritual lessons which are connected with this location. It gives a chance to remind about the results of pridefulness, delusion, and scepticism about the messengers of Allah.
Allowing Faith to Guide Your Journey
What Salah Travels’ Clients Should Know
Salah Travels is a faith-based travel company, and it recognizes the special dilemma that believers experience when they travel to AlUla. Though the places provide wonderful cultural and historical experiences, the desire to explore the world should be accompanied with Islamic information and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).
When engaging in going to such places, make sure that you are not doing so as you will want to do something that may not meet the teachings of Islam. One should not engage in practices that are opposed to the sentiments that are espoused by the Hadith. Salah Travels is one of the operators who offer guided tours where they require the travelers to observe the right Islamic etiquette when visiting AlUla. These tours will provide meditation, prayers and recitation of Quran to leave the visitor spiritually rejuvenated to respect these teachings.
Growing Awareness of Intention in Travel
What counts when you are traveling as a Muslim is your intention (niyyah). And even when they were explaining that it is valid to visit the ruins of past civilizations or mosques or other cultural monuments and to travel intentionally in the process in order to gain knowledge and to develop contact with Allah. In case the trip to the destinations such as AlUla is made to have fun, this can be contradictory to the Hadith which advises Muslims to see these ruins as reminding them of the power and mercy of Allah.
Otherwise, taking advantage of the travel may be used as an element of positive reinforcement:
- Think of the mercy and justice of Allah.
- When acts are glorifying sinful nations or trivializing the destruction of such nations, then you should deny them.
- Learn the history of Islam and the Quran stories attached to them.
Reconciling Modern Tourism with Islamic Teachings
There is no reason to say that the People should not visit AlUla as it will be a violation of the Hadith. One can go to the site with the right attitude and knowledge. As an illustration, those who travel, may spend time to think about any lessons that are linked to the Thamud people, rather than to engage in wasteful behavior. Forgiveness, gratitude and requesting Allah to guide are some of the ways through which the visit can be a spiritual journey.
Besides, with increasing trends in tourism in Saudi Arabia, Muslims have been urged to promote the facilities and resources to reflect Islam teachings and implement Sharia principles in tourism. This has enabled the faithful to experiment their exploration without jeopardising the religious values.
Where Hadith Meets Modern Reflection
Hadith is also important in giving insight as to how Muslims should engage with historical places such as AlUla. The remains of the Mada Saleh are not just stages of previous civilizations but they are illustrations of divine intrusion. Certainly, they make humanity remember about the necessity of faithfulness, modesty and obedience to Allah.
As a Muslim traveler, one should treat those places in a respectful way and put the intentions in line with the Islamic teachings. The Salah Travels is a considerate and godly approach that will help you discover the wonders of AlUla without any need to be concerned about wandering off without any photographs rather than a stronger attachment to your religion.
