I dedicate this book to my cherished father / Qabalan ibn Ahmad al-Muzaini (may Allah have mercy on him), whom I did not have the pleasure of meeting, nor did I have the gratification of accompanying him, although his courtesy and virtues are still alive and I was able to enjoy them.
To the person who deserves the most mention and gratitude: my mother / Rahima bint Faraj al-Hujaili (may Allah have mercy on her) in recognition of her care and tenderness. A mother who resembles all mothers, but to me there is nobody that looks like her.
To my dear brothers/ Salem and Hamed (may Allah have mercy on them), as a gesture of loyalty for the exemplary care and favor they bestowed upon me.
To my dear brothers/ Khalaf (may Allah have mercy on him) and Ali- may, Allah protect him, not only for their outstanding brotherhood, but also for their excellent companionship since childhood.
To my dear sisters/ Aisha, Haya, Rayya, Aziza and Sarah (may Allah protect them), and Sarra and Maryam (may Allah have mercy on them).
To my dear wife, Hala, as a recognition of her splendid partnership, and appreciation of her perfect upbringing of my children.
To my daughters/ Masha'ir, Shadha, Mayada and Shahd, and to my son Faris, my treasures and joy of life.
Finally, I dedicate it to the memory of my uncle/ Ghaith ibn Faraj al-Hujaili (may Allah have mercy on him), a man whose equals are few, and from whom I acquired some of my qualities and failed to match it.
Like my grandparents, I was born and raised in the southwestern suburb of al-Madinah that lies on the two sides of al-'Aqiq valley, which is historically known by this name. The valley is related to the events of the noble Prophetic biography and to Hajj. In fact, it contains the Miqat, where the Hajj and Umra performers, living in al-Madinah or coming there, must establish their Ihraam. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said when he arrived there: "Someone (meaning Gabriel) came to me from my Lord tonight (in my dream) and said: offer the prayer in this blessed valley". The valley is connected in the south with Wadi al-Naqi', located fifteen kilometers to the southwest of al-Madinah. It extends to the northeast until the wells of 'Ali, then it heads east to Urwah, then north for a short distance before it turns to the northeast to meet two other valleys to the north of Mount Uhud.
In this valley, Companions (RA) and Followers owned farms and palaces, some of which are still visible. Among the most famous historical farms is Bir Rumah (the well of Rumah), which Uthman ibn Affan (RA) bought and turned it into a charity. Other ruins can still be found in the courtyard of the palace of al-Madinah Prince, on the west bank of al-'Aqiq. These are the remains of the palace of the companion Said ibn al-'As, the governor of al-Madinah during the rule of the caliphate Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
As is the case of the ancient locations almost everywhere, urban development has severely destructed this beautiful agricultural suburb during the recent decades, and most of its parts were transformed into residential areas. As a result, many of those who were born there hardly know anything about its original characteristics.
