An Overview:

Saqifat Bani Sa'idah refers to the place where the pledge of allegiance to the first Caliph of the Muslims was held immediately after the death of the Prophet (ﷺ), unanimously by the emigrants and the Ansar who gathered in the Saqifah.

Its Story:

Saqifat of Bani Sa’idah is one of the most important historical Islamic landmarks in Madinah. It is not only associated with the story of the pledge of allegiance, but is also linked to the Prophet (ﷺ), as he had visited the place.

It also hosted the first political dialogue among Muslims after the death of the Prophet (ﷺ), which resulted in the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (RA) as the first Caliph of the Muslims.

Its Description:

A saqifah is a spacious place. It is covered with branches of trees or palm fronds and surrounded by walls on three sides and is open on the fourth side.

Saqifat Bani Sa'idah is a farm that belonged to Bani Sa’idah bin Ka’b al-Khazraji. It contained adjacent houses inhabited by Bani Sa’idah tribe amid the orchards, with a well nearby. The Ansar used to meet at the Saqifah for consultations and resolve their issues.

Its Location:

Saqifat Bani Sa’idah is located on the northwestern side of the Prophet’s Mosque. Visitors can reach it directly from the Prophet’s Mosque on foot.