Why Is Madinah Called “Taibah”?

September 4, 2026

Madinah carries several names in Islamic history, and one of the most well-known is Taibah, meaning pure, good and wholesome in Arabic.

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Madinah was known as Yathrib before Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated there in 622 CE
The Prophet ﷺ gave the city the name Taibah, meaning pure and good
An 8th century rock inscription found in Madinah refers to the city as “Taybah”

From Yathrib to Taibah

Before Islam, the city was called Yathrib. The name is linked to the Arabic roots tharb and tathrib, which carry meanings of blame and corruption.

When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated to the city, he gave it a new name. He called it Taibah, a word meaning pure, good and wholesome. A closely related name, Tabah, carries a similar meaning and was also used for the city.

Historical Evidence

An 8th century rock inscription discovered in Madinah refers to the city by the name Taybah, showing that the name has been used since the early centuries of Islam.

Other Names of Madinah

Alongside Taibah, the city is known by several other names, each reflecting a part of its history:

Name	Meaning
Al-Madinah	The City
Madinat an-Nabi	City of the Prophet
Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah	The Enlightened City
Dar al-Hijrah	Land of Migration

Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), built by the Prophet ﷺ in 622 CE, stands at the heart of the city and remains one of the most visited sites for Muslims travelling to Madinah today.