The Hijaz Fire of 654 AH

In Jumada al-Akhira 654 AH a great earthquake struck, and then a fire broke out in the land of Medina. al-Samhudi linked it to the Prophet's report of a fire that would come out of the land of the Hijaz, lighting up the necks of camels in Busra. ²

The earthquake began at the start of Jumada al-Akhira and grew stronger on the night of Wednesday, the third of the month. al-Samhudi, quoting al-Qastallani, says that in a single day it reached eighteen tremors. ³

The fire appeared at Quraydha, at the edge of al-Harra. The source describes it as flowing like a river, red and blue, with a roar like thunder that shook the mountains. It is said it was seen from Mecca and from the mountains of Busra. ²

Although it was close to Medina, a cool breeze would reach people from it, until it was turned away to the left when it reached the sacred precinct. The barrier it formed is known to the people of Medina as al-Habs. ²