“Is he who is obedient, devoutly worshipping during the night, prostrating and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, like one who does not? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those with understanding will take heed.” [Qur’an 39:9] “If only, when you entered your garden, you had said, ‘It is as God wills; there is no power except with God.’” [Qur’an 18:39] Historical Overview Palace building spread in Madīnah during the Umayyad and early Abbasid periods, primarily along the banks of Al ʿAqīq Valley. ‘Urwah Ibn Az Zubayr Palace is the most famous among them. It stands on the eastern bank, on the old Madīnah–Makkah road leading to Dhū al-Ḥulayfah, the mīqāt for the people of Madīnah, about 3.5 km southwest of the Prophet’s Masjid. The site was distinguished both by its view overlooking the main route to Makkah and its fertile soil. When ʿUrwah began digging the foundations, he was told the land was unsuitable for cultivation. He replied that Allāh would bring fertile clay from al-Naqīʿ. A flood later carried clay into his fields, so he reclaimed the land, built the palace, and dug wells. The palace was initially circular. Due to false reports against ʿUrwah, the khalifah ordered its demolition, but after the truth was revealed, ʿUrwah rebuilt it: a lofty, terraced palace with basalt stone foundations and walls. Its southern gate led into three interior courtyards, around which were discovered the remains of eight rooms measuring 40 by 30 m. Upon its completion, ʿUrwah composed: We built it well, by Allāh praise, upon the best of al-ʿAqīq,
Seen by every traveler and pilgrim bound for al-Bayt al-‘Atīq. He dug three wells: the first, near the masjid, was the Sāqiyah well for passerby; north of it lay the middle well (al-Wasīṭah), often flooded, for which he built a stone wall still partly visible; the third lay beneath the palace itself. Due to its location, the palace became a house of hospitality. When his date palms ripened, ʿUrwah would break the wall of his orchard so people could enter freely to eat and take fruit. His generosity reached the point where he donated his palace, land, and well entirely to the Muslims