Wadi al-Qura

Wadi al-Qura (Arabic: وادي القرى, lit. 'Valley of Villages') is a wadi north of Medina in Saudi Arabia,[1] mentioned in early Islamic sources. It was located on the main trade road between the Hejaz and Syria. This valley is also called Imam-e-Mubeen (open way) Quran (al-Hijar).

The wadi is tentatively identified with the modern Wadi al-'Ula region. The meaning of the name, "Valley of Villages", suggests the area contained several villages. The 10th-century geographer Istakhri noted it was one of the most populous and agriculturally productive areas of Arabia. The 9th-century historian Ibn al-Kalbi described it as highly fertile and dotted with villages throughout.[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]