Naki' Mountain and Valley (النقيع)

Naki' is a large plain and valley complex located in a region close to the Aqiq Valley in the northwest of Medina. The Prophet Muhammad granted this area a special status. The Prophet Muhammad designated the Naki' region for military purposes and declared it a sanctuary (himā) where Muslim war horses could graze. According to reports, the dimensions of this area were approximately "one mile wide and one berid long" and it was the region with the most greenery around it. In Islamic law, the application of "himā" means designating a specific area for public or certain community protection. The Prophet Muhammad's declaration of Naki' as a himā is one of the first concrete examples of this legal institution. During the caliphate of Umar, this practice was further expanded and various regions were designated as himā. The Naki' valley also constitutes one of the important water collection and agricultural areas of Medina. In addition, the region represents a fertile geographical section where the Ansar companions owned various gardens and lands. [Source: "Naki'", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/naki; "Himā", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/hima]