The Great Fire at Medina

In Jumada al-Akhira 654 AH a great fire appeared in the Harra near Medina. Al-Suyuti quotes Abu Shama's description of it, and Ibn al-Imad in "Shadharat al-Dhahab" gives a similar report. ^{1 2}

Al-Suyuti quotes from Abu Shama a letter that came to him from Medina. It said that a great noise and then an earthquake took place on the night of Wednesday, the third of Jumada al-Akhira, and continued until the fifth of the month. Then a fire appeared in the Harra near Quraysa, which could be seen from the houses of Medina. Streams from it ran to the valley of Shazha, sparks flew like a palace, and its light was seen from Mecca. The people gathered at the noble grave, seeking forgiveness and repenting, and it continued for more than a month. ¹

Al-Suyuti quotes al-Dhahabi as saying that the report of this fire is widely transmitted. He saw in it the fulfilment of the hadith: "The Hour will not come until a fire comes out of the land of the Hijaz that lights the necks of camels at Busra", and he noted that more than one person who was at Busra saw the necks of camels in its light. ¹

Ibn al-Imad says that the fire remained for days, some say three months, and that the women of Medina span by its light. It appeared from the valley of Uhayleen in the eastern Harra and moved north, consuming stones and mountains but not trees. He relates that the lord of Medina, Munif ibn Shabaha, sent two men to bring back news of it. He says that it blocked the valley of Shazha with a cast stone so that the water was held back behind it, until the water broke through in 690 AH. ²

Jumada al-Akhira 654 AH, with a Gregorian equivalent (around 1256 CE) that is derived. ³