Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates: 22.739573, 39.137219
This place is situated around 4 km north of Meeqat Al Juhfah Mosque.
This area was familiar to the Prophet May Peace be upon him, having traveled through it previously on his way back to Mecca sharif with the trade caravans.
In 630 ce, or 8 ah, as the Prophet ﷺ was leading an army of ten thousand men on their way to liberate Mecca sharif from pagan idolaters, he ﷺ met his uncle Hz. Abbas رضي الله عنه at al-Juhfah on their way to immigrate to Madinah.
Instead of continuing, Hz. Abbas رضي الله عنه joined the Prophet ﷺ and accompanied him to Mecca sharif.
For a moment the Prophet ﷺ felt saddened about leaving his home, when verse 85 of Surah al-Qassas was revealed and provided solace to him.
Quran narrates:
Indeed, [O Muhammad], He who imposed upon you the Qur’an will take you back to a place of return. Say, “My Lord is most knowing of who brings guidance and who is in clear error.”
[Quran]
Ruins
Today all that remains of ancient al-Juhfah are the majestic black basalt ruins, known as the Palace of Alya (Qasr ‘Alya) built by the Abbasids.
It is also close to the Miqat al-Juhfah or location where pilgrims coming from Syria or Egypt are to enter into the state of ihram for Hajj and Umrah.
This palace is said to have been built during the Abbasid period.
The historical city buried under the sand, There are rooms and houses buried around it but the travel and tourism ministry has left this place to its fate.
Note: Note that the traditions regarding the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ point out to al Juhfa area and not this particulat site. Reason for mentioning this site is that this is the only remaining ancient archtecture in whole area. So the traditions might or might not have happed here in this exact spot.
