Al-Ula (Arabic: ٱلْعُلَا) is an ancient Arabic oasis city in Saudi Arabia. As home for pre-Islamic Semitic civilizations, al-‘Ulā was a market city on the historic incense route that linked India and the Persian Gulf to the Levant and Europe.
Al-Ula literally means ‘Old Town’ and contains a dense cluster of mud-brick and stone houses.
‘Layer upon layer of human history and a wealth of natural wonders are waiting to be explored, from dramatic rock formations and sand-swept dunes to archaeological ruins that trace the lives of the ancient cultures who built cities here.’
There is so much to explore here, and this place has probably become one of my favourite stops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It’s insane to realise that there is so much to discover in this beautiful country, so many things that we are about to learn about human civilizations and our beloved Planet.
HOWEVER, ‘Al Ula was home to the people of Thamud, who killed a miraculous camel that was born out of rocks and challenged Prophet Saleh, and then Allah sent an earthquake that decimated them.’
In order to protect Muslims from idolatry influences, Prophet Muhammad forbade Muslims from visiting Al Ula. This prohibition highlights the significance of being true to Islamic teachings in the face of temptations.’
Dear Muslim friends, is this still holds true today?
Comments