within the walls is more specifically denoted by the name than the area outside. Likewise, the city of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had an inner and an outer area, separated by its approaches, and the name Medina encompasses all of this in the Book of Allah Most High. Thus, all these inhabitants used to offer the Friday prayer and the two Eid prayers behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his successors. No separate Friday or Eid prayers were held in Qubā’ or elsewhere, whereas the five daily prayers were offered in every tribal quarter. The Prophet’s statement (peace and blessings be upon him), “There are indeed men in Medina,” is another example of this: it encompasses all the dwellings.

Likewise, the term qurā (towns) includes cities, as in His words:

“How many towns We have destroyed!”

And His words:

“So that you may warn the Mother of Towns and those around it.”

And His words:

“Your Lord would never destroy towns until He had sent a messenger to their principal town, reciting Our revelations to them. Nor would We ever destroy towns unless their people were wrongdoers.”

And His words:

“These are some of the accounts of the towns which We relate to you; some are still standing, while others have been mown down.”

This encompasses dwellings both within and outside the town, even if a wall or something similar separates them. For the sending of messengers, destruction, and the like did not apply to some inhabitants to the exclusion of others. Most cities have both an inner and an outer area.